Read something very interesting

[Joe Car]

Got this info from another site.

Marty Lacker ( who from all accounts is a straight shooter ), said in an interview, that in 1976, Elvis instructed his father to give Sonny West, Red West, and Dave Hebler, $5,000 each, fire them and let them know that they would be rehired in a month or two, kind of a cooling off period as there relationship was strained. Lacker also goes on to say that Vernon instead, gave them each one weeks salary and pocketed the rest of the money, this is from the documentary, "The Last Days Of Elvis." Has anybody heard of this? A lot of people can understand why they wrote the book, due to how they were fired. My question is this, if what Lacker says is true, does this then let Elvis off the hook from a lot of fans and naysayers who believe that he was unfair in his treatment of these guys, as far as how the firings went down? Remember they were making $500 a week, 5 grand was more the fair if that's the case, assuming this is true. How was Elvis to know that his dad would pocket the money!

[Tony Trout]

Got this info from another site.

Marty Lacker ( who from all accounts is a straight shooter ), said in an interview, that in 1976, Elvis instructed his father to give Sonny West, Red West, and Dave Hebler, $5,000 each, fire them and let them know that they would be rehired in a month or two, kind of a cooling off period as there relationship was strained. Lacker also goes on to say that Vernon instead, gave them each one weeks salary and pocketed the rest of the money, this is from the documentary, "The Last Days Of Elvis." Has anybody heard of this? A lot of people can understand why they wrote the book, due to how they were fired. My question is this, if what Lacker says is true, does this then let Elvis off the hook from a lot of fans and naysayers who believe that he was unfair in his treatment of these guys, as far as how the firings went down? Remember they were making $500 a week, 5 grand was more the fair if that's the case, assuming this is true. How was Elvis to know that his dad would pocket the money!

This is one of those times that Marty is telling the truth. Elvis apparently was going to hire the West boys and Dave back but his father never told them that...instead he gave them one week's "severance" pay and let them go without telling them that they would be hired back....

Frankly, that was a crappy way of doing things....and I don't blame them for being PO'd at how it went down....

[desiree]

This is one of those times that Marty is telling the truth. Elvis apparently was going to hire the West boys and Dave back but his father never told them that...instead he gave them one week's "severance" pay and let them go without telling them that they would be hired back....

Frankly, that was a crappy way of doing things....and I don't blame them for being PO'd at how it went down....

Thanks for the information. (y)I didn't know he was going to hire them back.
And Joe Car, thanks for bringing it up and sharing it here. (y)

[MissyM]

I'd say that it is with-in Vernon's character to do so. Remember even when Pricilla was around, she and Vernon didn't want the guys around and the way Elvis spent his money.

[presley31]

Never heard they were going to hire them back either, news to me.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I have read that before from Marty.

But then I have also heard that near the end of his life Elvis had intended to get rid of Joe, Lamar, and pretty much clean house. If he had thoughts of getting rid of everyone that might not seem consistent with having intentions of hirings the Wests back.

But then again, we're talking about the passing of something like a year between their firing and his apparent intention to fire everyone. So it could be that in spite of his original intention to re-hire them, he later came to like not having as many people around and started to want a quiet house and a streamlined operation.

It was said that he had in mind that Billy could take over Joe's position, I believe.

I got the above from the Revelations book, by the way, not to be confused with the Book of Revelations, from the mouth of Billy mostly.

[ksimms2]

Got this info from another site.

Marty Lacker ( who from all accounts is a straight shooter ), said in an interview, that in 1976, Elvis instructed his father to give Sonny West, Red West, and Dave Hebler, $5,000 each, fire them and let them know that they would be rehired in a month or two, kind of a cooling off period as there relationship was strained. Lacker also goes on to say that Vernon instead, gave them each one weeks salary and pocketed the rest of the money, this is from the documentary, "The Last Days Of Elvis." Has anybody heard of this? A lot of people can understand why they wrote the book, due to how they were fired. My question is this, if what Lacker says is true, does this then let Elvis off the hook from a lot of fans and naysayers who believe that he was unfair in his treatment of these guys, as far as how the firings went down? Remember they were making $500 a week, 5 grand was more the fair if that's the case, assuming this is true. How was Elvis to know that his dad would pocket the money!

never knew this - thanks for sharing.....I'm not suprised one bit by Vernon doing this...he was a money hungry man...I guess from growing up so poor....but he had access to any money he wanted - why pocket theirs? Too bad he's still not around to answer to some of these things he did - and he did it to his own son.

[MissyM]

I think it's hard to know some things because Elvis could be unpredicable and change his mind often. But one thing for sure is Elvis trusted him too much.

[Joe Car]

If Vernon did this, then I've lost quite of bit of respect for him! It wasn't fair to the guys who were fired, and it certainly wasn't fair to his son!

[presley31]

I can't really see vernon doing this, you would think elvis would of said something in the chat with red west.

[rocknroll]

I can't really see vernon doing this, you would think elvis would of said something in the chat with red west.

Exactly, if true anyone would have said:

"Hey, this is a misunderstanding. I'm going to hire you back",

Especially with the opprotunities presented to do so.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I suppose that anything is possible, although I find it highly unlikely that Vernon would have pocketed the cash from his own son given that he wouldn't have wanted for anything living in Elvis' house.

The story of the way the wests were sacked is not in dispute, however I always feel that although Marty Lacker tells a grain of truth, there is a bitterness that surrounds every story :hmm:

[Diane]

There is a bitterness throughout the MM is why I take everything they say with a grain of salt. It's hard for me to sort what they say is truth from exaggeration.

Diane

[cameron]

There does seem to be bitterness within the MM. It was jealously when EP was alive ; and it seems to still go on.

[MissyM]

I don't think it's all that odd. Put that many men under one roof, add a boss that was like a domineering father to them all, and add Vernon into the mix wanting them to rat on Elvis and it spells trouble. Actually I'd be shocked if it didn't exist.

[presley31]

Exactly, if true anyone would have said:

"Hey, this is a misunderstanding. I'm going to hire you back",

Especially with the opprotunities presented to do so.

yep l agee, doesn't sound true to me (n)(n)

[Diane]

You're right Missy. There was a constant battle for who was going to be "best friend". No doubt there had to be jealousy too that Elvis was getting all the attention.

I don't know if Vernon would have stooped so low to pocket the money Elvis gave him for the Wests and Heber...I'm on the fence about that.

Diane

[utmom2008]

You're right Missy. There was a constant battle for who was going to be "best friend". No doubt there had to be jealousy too that Elvis was getting all the attention.

I don't know if Vernon would have stooped so low to pocket the money Elvis gave him for the Wests and Heber...I'm on the fence about that.

Diane
I bet you are right Diane...it seems to be obvious that Joe wants everyone to think that he was the "head-man", that he was a "best-man" etc....

I doubt that Vernon would have actually pocketed the money for himself, more likely that he thought he would be doing a favor for Elvis and saving his son from being out any extra cash....:hmm:

[utmom2008]

I don't think it's all that odd. Put that many men under one roof, add a boss that was like a domineering father to them all, and add Vernon into the mix wanting them to rat on Elvis and it spells trouble. Actually I'd be shocked if it didn't exist.
:lol::lol: They sound like a group of back-biting devious women..:D

[Diane]

That does sound more likely to me too Rosanne.(y)

Diane

[franny]

You're right Missy. There was a constant battle for who was going to be "best friend". No doubt there had to be jealousy too that Elvis was getting all the attention.

I don't know if Vernon would have stooped so low to pocket the money Elvis gave him for the Wests and Heber...I'm on the fence about that.

Diane

I think most of the MM thought they were Elvis' best friend! I'm sure there was a lot of jealousy going on there...

I don't know about Vernon doing something like that, not sure what to make of it...:hmm:

franny

[EP75]

Anything the Memphis Mafia has to say should be taken with a grain of salt. They have backpeddled, changed their story time and time again, and been caught lying in the past just to make their self look good. Anyone who writes more than one book and says totally the opposite is lying and trying to use that fabricated story to fatten their wallets. In my true honest opinion, I don't really believe that they cared as much for him as they lead on to make the fans believe. If they did I doubt Lisa would despise them as bad as she does. She isn't blind as some fans are and she sees right through them. Why can't the fans?

[MissyM]

Really, well let me challenge this mindset then. Name two things that the MM did that either Lisa, her father, or her mother did not do? Drugs? Screwing around? Making money off of the King? Make money or write a book to profit off of their association with Elvis? Display addictive behavior? Now, the MM stayed and hung in there with Elvis. What did dear old mom do? Where was she when he had his close calls with death before he died? And yet, take a look at what they (the MM)gained? How many lived or are living in the lap of luxury and fame? When it comes right down too it, if you want to measure it all up: they gave a hell of alot more for what they got out of the deal. Had they not been there then what. All Elvis would have had was watching Pric and Lisa go on with their lives and him work his *** off to support it. And the profits would have been slimmer had they NOT been there to save his hardworking life.How in heavens name does that make them (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of them. How are they (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of the MM?

[john carpenter]

Heres my view..Vernon was always afraid Elvis would go broke,and Vernon was scared hed have to go back to work(he retired at 39)And Elvis was upset because Red ,Sonny and Dave was always getting sued because of the way they roughed up certain people to protect Elvis.And Elvis was sutch a genorious person he spent way too much money on Caddilacs ect.Elvis was an 8th degree black belt,why did he need bodyguards anyway?

[utmom2008]

Heres my view..Vernon was always afraid Elvis would go broke,and Vernon was scared hed have to go back to work(he retired at 39)And Elvis was upset because Red ,Sonny and Dave was always getting sued because of the way they roughed up certain people to protect Elvis.And Elvis was sutch a genorious person he spent way too much money on Caddilacs ect.Elvis was an 8th degree black belt,why did he need bodyguards anyway?

I don't think Vernon was worried in the least that he would have to go back to work..:lol::lol:

Don't you want to rethink that bodyguard statement???

[JDD]

There are so many versions of events like these that I never know what to think anymore. That said he had those guys around for years, if he wanted to fire them, because they were causing trouble (they were) or drifting apart as friends or just cut expenses, I think that is fine. Where he messed up is in the "had Vernon" do it part. He should have told them himself. It wouldn't have been easy but as has been said most of them thought he was their best friend and I'm sure he could have spun it so it didn't sting as bad. He could have said Money isn't so good, I need to cut spending, I need to go get healthy or any number of things. The way it was done is what is Nonsense IMO.

JD

[EP75]

Really, well let me challenge this mindset then. Name two things that the MM did that either Lisa, her father, or her mother did not do? Drugs? Screwing around? Making money off of the King? Make money or write a book to profit off of their association with Elvis? Display addictive behavior? Now, the MM stayed and hung in there with Elvis. What did dear old mom do? Where was she when he had his close calls with death before he died? And yet, take a look at what they (the MM)gained? How many lived or are living in the lap of luxury and fame? When it comes right down too it, if you want to measure it all up: they gave a hell of alot more for what they got out of the deal. Had they not been there then what. All Elvis would have had was watching Pric and Lisa go on with their lives and him work his *** off to support it. And the profits would have been slimmer had they NOT been there to save his hardworking life.How in heavens name does that make them (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of them. How are they (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of the MM?

How do you know that they weren't doing drugs also? You don't. None of us do. All we can do is go by their word (although a rats turd is worth more) since EP isn't here to defend himself. Let me ask you this-if EP was still alive today and heard and read the nasty negative things that have come from their mouths what do you think he would think of them? I think it's pretty clear what he would have thought. He would have felt today what he felt in August of 1977 when their book came out-HURT and PORTRAYED.

[cameron]

Truthfully, I pay little attention to some of these "stories" because I've just been interested in Elvis' life. The people that were around him constantly were just another problem, IMO.
I don't begrudge Lisa or Priscilla their life style.

No "job" will take care of anyone the rest of your life...
If Elvis were here; I have no doubt he'd want Lisa to have everything.
and, yes...he'd even be helping Priscilla.
He did that before he died; I don't think he'd stop now if he were still here.

He made his life; Priscilla stepped in and saw that it paid for itself.
It's all Lisa's and IMO, that's the way he'd want it.

[EP75]

Truthfully, I pay little attention to some of these "stories" because I've just been interested in Elvis' life. The people that were around him constantly were just another problem, IMO.
I don't begrudge Lisa or Priscilla their life style.

No "job" will take care of anyone the rest of your life...
If Elvis were here; I have no doubt he'd want Lisa to have everything.
and, yes...he'd even be helping Priscilla.
He did that before he died; I don't think he'd stop now if he were still here.

He made his life; Priscilla stepped in and saw that it paid for itself.
It's all Lisa's and IMO, that's the way he'd want it.

Well said.(y)

[suspicious_mind]

Ive read it before.
But its a non-issue really cause what happened at the end of it all is more what im disgusted about. They took total advantage of Elvis' trust. Plain and simple. They were selfish.
So what if they got fired? Okay so go find another job. It wasnt Elvis' main purpose in life to make sure they were taken care of.
I think that book "Elvis What Happened" said exactly what kind of people they were. Im sure Elvis could see that way before it was written.

[utmom2008]

He would have felt today what he felt in August of 1977 when their book came out-HURT and PORTRAYED.

Not trying to start something here, but....did you mean hurt and BETRAYED???? He was portrayed, that's for sure..in a negative light.

[Donut]

How in heavens name does that make them (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of them. How are they (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of the MM?

I agree with you. I have never seen any difference...

[presley31]

Truthfully, I pay little attention to some of these "stories" because I've just been interested in Elvis' life. The people that were around him constantly were just another problem, IMO.
I don't begrudge Lisa or Priscilla their life style.

No "job" will take care of anyone the rest of your life...
If Elvis were here; I have no doubt he'd want Lisa to have everything.
and, yes...he'd even be helping Priscilla.
He did that before he died; I don't think he'd stop now if he were still here.

He made his life; Priscilla stepped in and saw that it paid for itself.
It's all Lisa's and IMO, that's the way he'd want it.


yep l agree and well said too (y)(y)

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Really, well let me challenge this mindset then. Name two things that the MM did that either Lisa, her father, or her mother did not do? Drugs? Screwing around? Making money off of the King? Make money or write a book to profit off of their association with Elvis? Display addictive behaviour? Now, the MM stayed and hung in there with Elvis. What did dear old mom do? Where was she when he had his close calls with death before he died? And yet, take a look at what they (the MM)gained? How many lived or are living in the lap of luxury and fame? When it comes right down too it, if you want to measure it all up: they gave a hell of alot more for what they got out of the deal. Had they not been there then what. All Elvis would have had was watching Pric and Lisa go on with their lives and him work his *** off to support it. And the profits would have been slimmer had they NOT been there to save his hardworking life.How in heavens name does that make them (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of them. How are they (Lisa and Pric) any better than any of the MM?

100% agreed, Pris and to a much lesser extent LMP have latched onto the gravy train and will never get off (we can debate the legitimacies). Pris has the brass neck to call the MM when she is no better than any of them, the fact is Pris got the spoils so she can re-write history and call the shots.

And before the Priscilla brigade start in on me, I do think she gets a raw deal from the fans, and not everything she has done is all bad.

The problem with the MM, Pris and LMP is that Elvis cast such a huge shadow that bitterness has crept into all there lives, how would you feel 30 years later after your Ex Husband/Father/Friend died? Basically people are not interested in the periphery only Elvis, that has got to take a toll on people eventually.

[utmom2008]

How do you know that they weren't doing drugs also? You don't. None of us do.
I think that was her point wasn't it?? That the MM were doing drugs??

[utmom2008]

100% agreed, Pris and to a much lesser extent LMP have latched onto the gravy train and will never get off (we can debate the legitimacies). Pris has the brass neck to call the MM when she is no better than any of them, the fact is Pris got the spoils so she can re-write history and call the shots.

You can't fault Lisa for any of the money that comes her way, that is actually her birthright. However...Priscilla is an entirely different matter. She is not the widow...she is nothing more than Elvis Presley's ex-wife.:blink:

[presley31]

[/B]

You can't fault Lisa for any of the money that comes her way, that is actually her birthright. However...Priscilla is an entirely different matter. She is not the widow...she is nothing more than Elvis Presley's ex-wife.:blink:


Well if its a big problem maybe you should email lisa and tell your concerns:doh:

[presley31]

Lets all put our votes in to have priscilla gone from EPE, and see if they listern

[utmom2008]

Well if its a big problem maybe you should email lisa and tell your concerns:doh:
I'm going to assume that was not meant to be a snide or sarcastic post. ;) As you always say........everyone is entitled to their own opinion. ;););)

[presley31]

I'm going to assume that was not meant to be a snide or sarcastic post. ;) As you always say........everyone is entitled to their own opinion. ;););)


Nobody has dare to put a vote in to EPE for priscilla to stop down, so maybe we all should sign one and see if that makes a difference cause everyone says EPE doesn't listern so lets see what they say about that.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

[/b]

You can't fault Lisa for any of the money that comes her way, that is actually her birthright. However...Priscilla is an entirely different matter. She is not the widow...she is nothing more than Elvis Presley's ex-wife.:blink:

I do not begrudge a single penny that LMP gets from the estate, however, I don't care if she is Elvis' daughter or not, manners cost nothing, civility costs nothing and a bit of humility would go a long way to honouring her father.

[utmom2008]

I do not begrudge a single penny that LMP gets from the estate, however, I don't care if she is Elvis' daughter or not, manners cost nothing, civility costs nothing and a bit of humility would go a long way to honouring her father.

I completely agree with you on that point. I would like to see her just once act as though she is enjoying the interview. Whoever is doing the intreview always has to pull answers from her. You get the idea that she really doesn't want to be where she is. A very uncomfortable interview I would think.....:hmm:

[MissyM]

EPE won't be booting Pric off the board for a while. Doesn't she have a contract or something? Oh an no way do I begrudge Lisa for getting her birthright at all. But I often wonder how happy all that money is making her and her mother. And no one will ever be able to say that Elvis wanted his estate made into a multi-million dollar enterprize. Unless you're telepathic because I'm sure he never imagined that it would come to this.

[utmom2008]

Unless your telepathic because I'm sure he never imagined that it would come to this.

I agree Missy. I don't think Elvis would have ever thought that there would be talk of an Elvis-themed Hotel in Las Vegas....:supriced:

[presley31]

In the revelations from the mempgis mafia, billy said priscilla really didn't want to open graceland but it cost something like 480,000 a year just to maintain so l guess she really didn't have the chance to let it be just for lisa and not for tours.

[MissyM]

I've never read where Billy said that. Can someone find that?

[presley31]

I've never read where Billy said that. Can someone find that?

BOOK called Revelations from the Memphis Mafia

chapter Aftermath page 743

[presley31]

l don't have a scanner so l can't give you the page, but this comment is from lisa and priscilla.

However, the Presleys initially resisted opening Graceland to the public. "It took a long time to decide after he passed away," Priscilla says. "But there weren't really enough finances there to keep it going. We had a staff that was with us for years and years and years, and we had to let everyone go. It was a shock. We had estate taxes coming in, we had government taxes. … Again, it wasn't an overnight decision

[MissyM]

She didn't have a staff!!!!!!!!

[presley31]

She didn't have a staff!!!!!!!!

everyone was still working there missy. The maids and etc

[cameron]

l don't have a scanner so l can't give you the page, but this comment is from lisa and priscilla.

However, the Presleys initially resisted opening Graceland to the public. "It took a long time to decide after he passed away," Priscilla says. "But there weren't really enough finances there to keep it going. We had a staff that was with us for years and years and years, and we had to let everyone go. It was a shock. We had estate taxes coming in, we had government taxes. … Again, it wasn't an overnight decision
Yep, you're right, Jen.
Grandma Minnie and the aunt still lived there when the tours started .

[Tony Trout]

Yep, you're right, Jen.
Grandma Minnie and the aunt still lived there when the tours started .


This is incorrect. Minnie Mae Presley passed away a couple of years before Graceland was opened to the public but Aunt Delta still did live there.....

[presley31]

This is incorrect. Minnie Mae Presley passed away a couple of years before Graceland was opened to the public but Aunt Delta still did live there.....

When priscilla got her hands on graceland minnie mae was still alive, thats what we are talking about

[Tony Trout]

When priscilla got her hands on graceland minnie mae was still alive, thats what we are talking about

Um...from the way I read Cameron's post, it sounded like y'all were referring to when Priscilla opened Graceland for tours to the public...that's why I made the comment 'bout Minnie Mae having passed a couple of years before the tours started....

[cameron]

Um...from the way I read Cameron's post, it sounded like y'all were referring to when Priscilla opened Graceland for tours to the public...that's why I made the comment 'bout Minnie Mae having passed a couple of years before the tours started....

Sorry, Tony. I was back and forth today .:blush:
It was posted that way. I meant Grandma Minnie lived 2 more years after Vernon, so she was there. But, Aunt Delta was there when the tours started . From what I've heard, she didn't like them either .

I tried to cut my answers too short.....:blink:

[presley31]

Um...from the way I read Cameron's post, it sounded like y'all were referring to when Priscilla opened Graceland for tours to the public...that's why I made the comment 'bout Minnie Mae having passed a couple of years before the tours started....

sorry tony, didn't mean to confuse you:blush:

[Tony Trout]

Sorry, Tony. I was back and forth today .:blush:
It was posted that way. I meant Grandma Minnie lived 2 more years after Vernon, so she was there. But, Aunt Delta was there when the tours started . From what I've heard, she didn't like them either .

I tried to cut my answers too short.....:blink:


Minnie Mae died on May 8, 1980. She only lived less than a year after Vernon died in 1979...




sorry tony, didn't mean to confuse you:blush:


Y'all are forgiven....*HUGS*

[utmom2008]

She didn't have a staff!!!!!!!!
Right!!! "She" didn't, but Elvis did......."WE"....go figure.;)

[cameron]

Minnie Mae died on May 8, 1980. She only lived less than a year after Vernon died in 1979...






Y'all are forgiven....*HUGS*

TYVM....I'm all messed up today. I just turned one of the sites over to someone else . Too much to keep up with anymore. :blink:

[Getlo]

I do not begrudge a single penny that LMP gets from the estate, however, I don't care if she is Elvis' daughter or not, manners cost nothing, civility costs nothing and a bit of humility would go a long way to honouring her father.


I agree.

I'm tired of seeing this surly, arrogant woman being interviewed.

Okay, so her father - the most famous man of the 20th century - died when she was nine. She has issues, sure, but get over it honey!

If she can't be even remotely honest and pleasant in her interviews, then she should just keep quiet and watch the $$$ keep rolling in.

[utmom2008]

I agree.

I'm tired of seeing this surly, arrogant woman being interviewed.

Okay, so her father - the most famous man of the 20th century - died when she was nine. She has issues, sure, but get over it honey!

If she can't be even remotely honest and pleasant in her interviews, then she should just keep quiet and watch the $$$ keep rolling in.

SURLY That's the perfect word that comes to mind.....

[EDOEP]

Nobody has dare to put a vote in to EPE for priscilla to stop down, so maybe we all should sign one and see if that makes a difference cause everyone says EPE doesn't listern so lets see what they say about that.
why should we :)? since sillerman's managment buy-in 'prissy-face' has been a puppet on a string like everybody else (to a more or lesser extent). she serves mainly as 'representative' for official events since LMP seems to despise and avoid that part.

her activities NOT related to EPE couldn't be stopped anyway: her bedlinen stuff with the name 'presley' on it, her promoting of 'scientology' etc. etc.

ellie

[EDOEP]

I do not begrudge a single penny that LMP gets from the estate, however, I don't care if she is Elvis' daughter or not, manners cost nothing, civility costs nothing and a bit of humility would go a long way to honouring her father.

(y)(y)

if this board had a 'thank you for this posting' function, i would click that button now.

hugs, ellie