Interesting life in the 70s ?

[kurt]

Do you think Elvis thought his life was interesting shall i say maybe
after 1973 ? I hope you dont get mad for asking that :blush:

[epmoodyblue]

nothing wrong about ur question.....:hmm: i think elvis just got bored of everything ..didint really care anymore..no new challenges in life career wise.. he just gave up :'(and tragically the end came in aug 77..wish he was still with us:king:

[kurt]

Me to !!!!:'(

[EnigmaticSun]

He was being controlled by his environment, which put a halt to a more carefree developing of talent. On the other hand, he was active and really lived. He was not so uptight as to have rigor mortis in the prime of his life, but there are those who really do - metaphorically speaking.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I think he definitely got bored and felt trapped by his fame in some ways but the guy basically had a storybook life at that point. He had lost his mother and was getting divorced but he had achieved unimaginable success and every day should still have felt like a dream to him. He could get up in the morning -- or afternoon, rather -- and aside from his performing commitments do whatever he pleased. Nothing was off limits for him. He probably felt like he had conquered the world after the success of Aloha.

That's one thing I don't get, that I think is said as an excuse for his downfall: Elvis needed a challenge. Well, sure. I don't dispute that but unlike some I don't see the absence of challenges after the Aloha special. Yes, it may have been a downer to go back to Vegas which he had already had his fill of for some time by that point, and to play some of the same not so large venues in some not so large towns in the States when there was a worldwide demand for him...I get that those things could bring him down.

But there were still plenty of challenges. Getting rid of the Colonel would have been a great one and it would have brought about more of the types of challenges that people usually have in mind when they make that point. But I'm talking about things like a number one single on the Billboard pop chart again...and again...like he had in the past. There were plenty of successes that he had once enjoyed that did not come with such frequency anymore. Go back to Hollywood and do a movie that meant something to him. Each recording session was an occasion he should have risen to and in far too many cases he did not. Now, I like stuff from the worst of the sessions but even the best of the bunch could have been better. :supriced: If we're being honest here, it's true. If nothing else he could have gotten consistently better material. Fact. Getting back down to his fighting weight like he did for Aloha should not have been something it would take a worldwide telecast to motivate him to do.

There were plenty of challenges, without a doubt. That's not really what you were asking, Kurt, but whenever I think about that period it calls that topic to mind for me and I think it's somewhat related.

Let me just say preemptively that I am not without sympathy here. There are factors here that need to be considered as his situation was completely unique and there wasn't a King of Entertainment Book for Dummies he could consult. I get all that. But the challenges were there and he should have been having the time of his life in '73 rather than living a life that would cause people to later refer to 1973 as "the year of the drugs" for Elvis.

[EnigmaticSun]

Lonnie, your post is pretty insightful and you're even taking a risk criticizing the Colonel, since people such as Al Dvorin defended him (but I don't know why - I found him to be an uncongenial presence).

I don't like media or people in general portraying Elvis as a spineless person who just didn't have the character to quit doing drugs. In his heart Elvis was looking for deeper meaning, emotional and spiritual fulfillment - but he found only so little of it in his environment.

I'd say Elvis didn't have the courage to give some individuals the brush rather than him not being involved in music or lacking the guts to get healthy. On the other hand, I'm not quite sure as to what was bothering him (physically) roughly after 1970.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

January 15th 1973 sums it up for me really, the day after the Aloha telecast Elvis is unable to meet his scheduled engagement because he had fell off the wagon and was back on the pills, so much so he was unable to go out and the MM had to make excuses for him.

This was a man who only hours earlier had the world in the palm of his hands and should of been on a natural high, however he chose to get stoned as a reward.... This was sadly the slippery slope that Elvis just couldn't shake. Was Elvis happy, clearly not.

Elvis made a choice on January 15th 1973, after getting into top shape, being his Jumpsuited pinnacle and staying relatively free from copious amounts of pills, he fell spectacularly back to old habits.

I don't doubt Elvis had numerous things going on in his life, but these things were going on prior to the Aloha show and Elvis had kept himself focused and clean. After this show things were never truly as good on a consistent level...

I feel sorry for Elvis because at a time when he could have commanded even greater success his personal demons had overcome him.

[Unchained Melody]

January 15th 1973 sums it up for me really, the day after the Aloha telecast Elvis is unable to meet his scheduled engagement because he had fell off the wagon and was back on the pills, so much so he was unable to go out and the MM had to make excuses for him.

This was a man who only hours earlier had the world in the palm of his hands and should of been on a natural high, however he chose to get stoned as a reward.... This was sadly the slippery slope that Elvis just couldn't shake. Was Elvis happy, clearly not.

Elvis made a choice on January 15th 1973, after getting into top shape, being his Jumpsuited pinnacle and staying relatively free from copious amounts of pills, he fell spectacularly back to old habits.

I don't doubt Elvis had numerous things going on in his life, but these things were going on prior to the Aloha show and Elvis had kept himself focused and clean. After this show things were never truly as good on a consistent level...

I feel sorry for Elvis because at a time when he could have commanded even greater success his personal demons had overcome him.


Couldn't have said it any better Matt you are right on all points.

You think the sucess of the Aloha performance would have been enough to keep him happy atleast til the next day but obviously that wasn't the case and after that show things were never the same again...he demons he battled with overtook him...and its ashame because he was strong enough to have overcome them had he just done what he wanted instead of trying to keep everyone else happy around him when he was obviously not happy...I think he got bored with the shows just like he got bored with the movies...he needed another challenge..Colonel never made one for him after aloha..but by 75 it would have been pointless elvis was in no shape after that for a world tour...he was not interested in studio recordings...he got tired of being elvis presley imo..:'(

[EnigmaticSun]

So here they go posting exactly the things I have been trying to disprove just now. Elvis wasn't a spineless junkie, why fuel such rubbish?

Hank Williams was in severe pain most of the time and got to drinking, Elvis took pills. It's hard to say how one would react in such a situation and you can better pray to God it doesn't happen to you.

[Unchained Melody]

So here they go posting exactly the things I have been trying to disprove just now. Elvis wasn't a spineless junkie, why fuel such rubbish?

Hank Williams was in severe pain most of the time and got to drinking, Elvis took pills. It's hard to say how one would react in such a situation and you can better pray to God it doesn't happen to you.

Ok he wasn't a junkie....he lived on that stuff and thought he couldnt live without it...its a fact whether you want to believe it or not but he did become an addict...he tried cocaine and god knows what else..elvis didnt take the drugs because he was in some terrible physical pain,, he took it because he loved being numb...in 1973 at palm springs when he and a girl almost overdoesed on cough syrup..thats not a junkie...interesting point of view then..:hmm:

[Vany]

Ok he wasn't a junkie....he lived on that stuff and thought he couldnt live without it...its a fact whether you want to believe it or not but he did become an addict...he tried cocaine and god knows what else..elvis didnt take the drugs because he was in some terrible physical pain,, he took it because he loved being numb...in 1973 at palm springs when he and a girl almost overdoesed on cough syrup..thats not a junkie...interesting point of view then..:hmm:

when did he try cocaine??? Never heard of that!?!?!

[Unchained Melody]

when did he try cocaine??? Never heard of that!?!?!

Wasnt it in July 19th 1975 in Uniondale......:hmm:

Always heard he was abusing Liquid cocaine during the last tour of 76...not even sure what that is though..:blink:

[epmoodyblue]

lets all just calm down....and express our opinions freely weather we agree or not dosent matter...:hmm:before u know it i feel this thread is going to be shut down as usual it wont last for long..:lmfao: neways peace to all:notworthy:king:

[Unchained Melody]

lets all just calm down....and express our opinions freely weather we agree or not dosent matter...:hmm:before u know it i feel this thread is going to be shut down as usual it wont last for long..:lmfao: neways peace to all:notworthy:king:

You are right pal we all have our opinions on subjects and we can't all agree but we can be mature about it ! (y)

[utmom2008]

Ok he wasn't a junkie....he lived on that stuff and thought he couldnt live without it...its a fact whether you want to believe it or not but he did become an addict...he tried cocaine and god knows what else..elvis didnt take the drugs because he was in some terrible physical pain,, he took it because he loved being numb...in 1973 at palm springs when he and a girl almost overdoesed on cough syrup..thats not a junkie...interesting point of view then..:hmm:

I think your missing his point here. He's not saying Elvis wasn't a junkie...he's saying Elvis wasn't a spineless junkie. :blink::blink:

[john carpenter]

I think he definitely got bored and felt trapped by his fame in some ways but the guy basically had a storybook life at that point. He had lost his mother and was getting divorced but he had achieved unimaginable success and every day should still have felt like a dream to him. He could get up in the morning -- or afternoon, rather -- and aside from his performing commitments do whatever he pleased. Nothing was off limits for him. He probably felt like he had conquered the world after the success of Aloha.

That's one thing I don't get, that I think is said as an excuse for his downfall: Elvis needed a challenge. Well, sure. I don't dispute that but unlike some I don't see the absence of challenges after the Aloha special. Yes, it may have been a downer to go back to Vegas which he had already had his fill of for some time by that point, and to play some of the same not so large venues in some not so large towns in the States when there was a worldwide demand for him...I get that those things could bring him down.

But there were still plenty of challenges. Getting rid of the Colonel would have been a great one and it would have brought about more of the types of challenges that people usually have in mind when they make that point. But I'm talking about things like a number one single on the Billboard pop chart again...and again...like he had in the past. There were plenty of successes that he had once enjoyed that did not come with such frequency anymore. Go back to Hollywood and do a movie that meant something to him. Each recording session was an occasion he should have risen to and in far too many cases he did not. Now, I like stuff from the worst of the sessions but even the best of the bunch could have been better. :supriced: If we're being honest here, it's true. If nothing else he could have gotten consistently better material. Fact. Getting back down to his fighting weight like he did for Aloha should not have been something it would take a worldwide telecast to motivate him to do.

There were plenty of challenges, without a doubt. That's not really what you were asking, Kurt, but whenever I think about that period it calls that topic to mind for me and I think it's somewhat related.

Let me just say preemptively that I am not without sympathy here. There are factors here that need to be considered as his situation was completely unique and there wasn't a King of Entertainment Book for Dummies he could consult. I get all that. But the challenges were there and he should have been having the time of his life in '73 rather than living a life that would cause people to later refer to 1973 as "the year of the drugs" for Elvis.I agree LonnieBeale street. He always wanted to top "Aloha" but never achieved the success of the worldwide sattelite program.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

So here they go posting exactly the things I have been trying to disprove just now. Elvis wasn't a spineless junkie, why fuel such rubbish?

Hank Williams was in severe pain most of the time and got to drinking, Elvis took pills. It's hard to say how one would react in such a situation and you can better pray to God it doesn't happen to you.

Please show me where I called Elvis a spineless junkie!

When someone reaches such a height, keeps clean for a spectacular such as the Aloha and the very next day is unable to stick to an appointment you have to ask questions. It seems to me Elvis found it difficult to scale back his pill intake and at the first opportunity after the show he over medicates himself. So..... when someone (anyone) displays these behaviours you have to face facts, it is the actions of an addict.

It is a sad fact that Elvis was an addict, he displayed obvious behaviours, friends and family have testified that Elvis was over medicating. These things are fact! It is not rubbish and I'm not trying to fuel lies, we are all basically speculating based on the information provided by multiple sources.

[Unchained Melody]

I think your missing his point here. He's not saying Elvis wasn't a junkie...he's saying Elvis wasn't a spineless junkie. :blink::blink:

Ok wasn't even sure what he meant by spineless Junkie anyhow...but Elvis had his faults like everyone else...makes him no less to me he will always be the king! (y)

[presley31]

I really could care less that elvis did this and that but it doesn't change the fact he still brings in fans by the number and for those who have seen him in person have those wonderful memories to share and relive in there minds.

[Unchained Melody]

I really could care less that elvis did this and that but it doesn't change the fact he still brings in fans by the number and for those who have seen him in person have those wonderful memories to share and relive in there minds.

'Couldn't have said it any better my friend...(y)(y)

[utmom2008]

and for those who have seen him in person have those wonderful memories to share and relive in there minds.

I hope that someday when I really am old(;)) that I don't suffer from dementia to the point of losing my Elvis memories.;):blush::blush::blink:

[presley31]

I hope that someday when I really am old(;)) that I don't suffer from dementia to the point of losing my Elvis memories.;):blush::blush::blink:

I hope not either rosanne cause you have awesome memories to look back on(y)(y)

[SleepyJack]

It`s amazing how quickly a simple question about Elvis` life can turn into another doom-filled discussion on his drug habits.......I fail to see the connection between the original question and what came after it.....the entertainment world has a long and colourful history of entertainers who had drug/drink related problems,and many of them led very interesting lives..don`t think that the two can`t go hand in hand...for some people at least.
I don`t think Elvis found life too interesting after 1973.....I think frustrating would be a better word.......

[ehollier]

I agree with Lonniebeaglestreet - there was no Entertainer of the World Handbook for Dummies (good one!!) and he did acheive more in his short life than most do in several lifetimes. I think that after Aloha!, he lost the desire to 'rise to the challenge' and it was easier to do the easy thing.

I also firmly believe that he packed a lot of life in his short crazy lifetime. He may have felt that there wasn't anything else he could have accomplished or was just tired of trying.

[Unchained Melody]

I don`t think Elvis found life too interesting after 1973.....I think frustrating would be a better word.......

Frustrating, boring, lonely.....:'(

[elvispresleytheking]

Was it that his life was interesting after 1973 or not interesting enough, so he had to make it more so?

[utmom2008]

I hope not either rosanne cause you have awesome memories to look back on(y)(y)

I'll be one of those old ladies in a nursing home babbling away about seeing Elvis this weekend. They will say..now remember...he's been dead a long, long time?:supriced::supriced::lol:

[Unchained Melody]

Was it that his life was interesting after 1973 or not interesting enough, so he had to make it more so?

I think in the later years he tried to make it fun like it was in the early years.

Reminds me of Billy Smith telling me when they were at Liberty Land when Elvis took Lisa their in August of 1977. Said it seemed he was trying to make it like it was in the early days, and it was sad :'(

[EnigmaticSun]

Hey everybody, what I was trying to point out by mentioning "spineless junkie" was the following: the typical persistent notion going around is that he just didn't care for his life or body and was thinking: "this is all meaningless and let me just screw my life and laugh about it".

I was born in a run-down area and recognize junkies when I see them. :) For all of this troubles, Elvis didn't resemble one because of his weight alone. Neither did he steal to obtain what he wanted.

Whether or not Elvis could be considered a junkie is subject to debate - one might just as well say a diabetic is a junkie for having to take insulin every day.

My intention was to neither call him spineless nor junkie. I'd say he was dependent. Neither can I blame Hank Williams for drinking to ease the pain of his disease (spina bifida).

All in all, Elvis had too much spirit, will and life in him to be spineless or junkie. Never been strung out, except on music.

I didn't mean to imply that another person has literally said he was (a spineless junkie), but we're fueling this notion by the things we write.

There seems to be a black market in the Elvis-industry which feeds on negativity, it appears to be bigger than the market with integrity (if any).

[KPM]

I think he definitely got bored and felt trapped by his fame in some ways but the guy basically had a storybook life at that point. He had lost his mother and was getting divorced but he had achieved unimaginable success and every day should still have felt like a dream to him. He could get up in the morning -- or afternoon, rather -- and aside from his performing commitments do whatever he pleased. Nothing was off limits for him. He probably felt like he had conquered the world after the success of Aloha.

That's one thing I don't get, that I think is said as an excuse for his downfall: Elvis needed a challenge. Well, sure. I don't dispute that but unlike some I don't see the absence of challenges after the Aloha special. Yes, it may have been a downer to go back to Vegas which he had already had his fill of for some time by that point, and to play some of the same not so large venues in some not so large towns in the States when there was a worldwide demand for him...I get that those things could bring him down.

But there were still plenty of challenges. Getting rid of the Colonel would have been a great one and it would have brought about more of the types of challenges that people usually have in mind when they make that point. But I'm talking about things like a number one single on the Billboard pop chart again...and again...like he had in the past. There were plenty of successes that he had once enjoyed that did not come with such frequency anymore. Go back to Hollywood and do a movie that meant something to him. Each recording session was an occasion he should have risen to and in far too many cases he did not. Now, I like stuff from the worst of the sessions but even the best of the bunch could have been better. :supriced: If we're being honest here, it's true. If nothing else he could have gotten consistently better material. Fact. Getting back down to his fighting weight like he did for Aloha should not have been something it would take a worldwide telecast to motivate him to do.

There were plenty of challenges, without a doubt. That's not really what you were asking, Kurt, but whenever I think about that period it calls that topic to mind for me and I think it's somewhat related.

Let me just say preemptively that I am not without sympathy here. There are factors here that need to be considered as his situation was completely unique and there wasn't a King of Entertainment Book for Dummies he could consult. I get all that. But the challenges were there and he should have been having the time of his life in '73 rather than living a life that would cause people to later refer to 1973 as "the year of the drugs" for Elvis.
I agree in part-but you are assuming that what we see as challenges Elvis also saw as challenges. Going into a recording studio obviously had become something he dreaded after 72. Why? I agree each time should have been a new challenge-but he did not see it like that?
Now when he was booked into Chips Momans studio in Memphis in 69-he saw this as a challenge-once again Why? Would a session with say Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page on guitar have been a challenge for him-I think so. Would that have ever been something Parker would have set up (or easily agreed to) IMO No. Elvis did not go looking for challenges-they had to be brought to him.
Everytime Parker brought Elvis-a challenge he met it. But it had to be brought to him from an outside source-unfortunately the only outside source sanctioned by Parker-was Parker.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I don't disagree, KPM, nor am I assuming. I guess my point is that in my view he should have seen more things as challenges than he did. It is very unfortunate if he could not find any motivation to succeed at things smaller in scope than something he had previously accomplished.

Those things are in the past and their successes not totally enduring. To clarify...they speak for themselves and are timeless to us but when you think of them being a part of someone's life, they do not translate into a continuation of that success / health / happiness / fulfillment.

So if that was the case with him and it would have taken another Aloha or the like for him to rise to the occasion once more, and it had to presented to him externally, he didn't have a great chance of survival, did he?

All I am saying is that I wish he could or would have sought out the challenges himself and seen them in scenarios smaller in scope and in things that he had done before.

[utmom2008]

Whether or not Elvis could be considered a junkie is subject to debate - one might just as well say a diabetic is a junkie for having to take insulin every day.
I don't consider a diabetic a junkie because they take insulin every day. My father was a diabetic..he took insulin to prolong his life...not to get "high" or "numb" himself.:blink:




My intention was to neither call him spineless nor junkie. I'd say he was dependent. Neither can I blame Hank Williams for drinking to ease the pain of his disease (spina bifida).


IMO anyone who is "dependant" on a narcotic is "addicted" to the narcotic. That would mean you are an "addict". I think of the word "junkie" as slang for "addict.":blink::blink:

[KPM]

I don't disagree, KPM, nor am I assuming. I guess my point is that in my view he should have seen more things as challenges than he did. It is very unfortunate if he could not find any motivation to succeed at things smaller in scope than something he had previously accomplished.

Those things are in the past and their successes not totally enduring. To clarify...they speak for themselves and are timeless to us but when you think of them being a part of someone's life, they do not translate into a continuation of that success / health / happiness / fulfillment.

So if that was the case with him and it would have taken another Aloha or the like for him to rise to the occasion once more, and it had to presented to him externally, he didn't have a great chance of survival, did he?

All I am saying is that I wish he could or would have sought out the challenges himself and seen them in scenarios smaller in scope and in things that he had done before.
I agree he should have looked for things-but by the time 1972 came along what had he not done in his mind anyway?
He had made historic recordings & set sales records, legendary live performances in the 50s, the 68 special, films which had bored him to death, his triumphant return to live shows and he was still selling records (not every song a hit as in the 50s and early 60s but to sell half a million singles is still good sales) The boredom which seemed to creep into his life from all angles was a symptom of the feeling which came at him quickly-I have done this all before. IMO
We may think he should have seen challenges as easily as we do-on a smaller scale-but his career was huge-perhaps smaller challenges had no meaning, no concept to him. It seems he needed to think with each project-"Its all on the line here".
When he felt that pressure-he worked hard and proved who he was-to himself as much as to us. I have no answer as to why he was like this, but it seems to me he was.
We see what he should have seen-but from a distance of time and hindsight and the distance of "it is not us".
I agree he could have been happier if he could have found smaller challenges-as exciting and motivating. But as I have pointed out in the past-Parker did not encourage Elvis to interact with other creative people, where new simpler challenges may have presented themselves to him as important.
You can not be an artist and not be motivated by the people and world around you. A painter has to see the world in some way-to put it on canvas. A director reads a book and says "Hey that would make a good movie" then he contacts the writer, and the ball is rolling. Elvis needed to be in contact with the best of the best to help keep him moving forward. To show him they respected his talent-but were not just going to answer "yes great show-great song" every single time asked.
I recall when he returned to touring in 1970 and his second stop was St. Louis the promotors had got a complete sound system for him in St. Louis and when they told Elvis's guys-they were warned they should not have done it (even though every rock act in 1970 was using this type sound system) Elvis will not like this they were told. Parker did not set this up-it was someone from outside. When Elvis took stage he was taken aback by the much better clearer sound he had never experienced on tour and from then on he had the best system to tour with. A small thing-my point is he learned from someone else something which helped him. But its just my opinion my friend.

[Diane]

Junkie is just a slang word for addict...it just sounds worse but it's the same thing. Same as drunk for alcoholic.....

What some of us have been saying is that if for instance Elvis had gotten counseling after the Aloha special, there was a good chance he could have beaten his addiction. Without it, he was still lost. Hardened addicts which Elvis was by then can't just simply quit on their own. It's fine for others to tell him he had a problem but what were they actually DOING about it???? Somebody needed to see that he had that counseling. Dr. Nick would have been the best choice but he didn't do it, he just kept enabling him further into the addiction.

Diane

[utmom2008]

Junkie is just a slang word for addict...it just sounds worse but it's the same thing. Same as drunk for alcoholic.....

Even worse...sometimes I will hear older people refer to an alcoholic as a wino. They will say "ole' Mr Smith is just an old wino.":blink::blush::blink:


Somebody needed to see that he had that counseling. Dr. Nick would have been the best choice but he didn't do it, he just kept enabling him further into the addiction.
Diane

I totally agree with you.:greedy::greedy::greedy: Remember the interview with Dr. Nick where he says the only place he knew of that provided that kind of treatment was in Arkansas??:blush: :supriced::supriced::lol:

[Lonniebealestreet]

I agree he should have looked for things-but by the time 1972 came along what had he not done in his mind anyway?
He had made historic recordings & set sales records, legendary live performances in the 50s, the 68 special, films which had bored him to death, his triumphant return to live shows and he was still selling records (not every song a hit as in the 50s and early 60s but to sell half a million singles is still good sales) The boredom which seemed to creep into his life from all angles was a symptom of the feeling which came at him quickly-I have done this all before. IMO
We may think he should have seen challenges as easily as we do-on a smaller scale-but his career was huge-perhaps smaller challenges had no meaning, no concept to him. It seems he needed to think with each project-"Its all on the line here".
When he felt that pressure-he worked hard and proved who he was-to himself as much as to us. I have no answer as to why he was like this, but it seems to me he was.
We see what he should have seen-but from a distance of time and hindsight and the distance of "it is not us".
I agree he could have been happier if he could have found smaller challenges-as exciting and motivating. But as I have pointed out in the past-Parker did not encourage Elvis to interact with other creative people, where new simpler challenges may have presented themselves to him as important.
You can not be an artist and not be motivated by the people and world around you. A painter has to see the world in some way-to put it on canvas. A director reads a book and says "Hey that would make a good movie" then he contacts the writer, and the ball is rolling. Elvis needed to be in contact with the best of the best to help keep him moving forward. To show him they respected his talent-but were not just going to answer "yes great show-great song" every single time asked.
I recall when he returned to touring in 1970 and his second stop was St. Louis the promotors had got a complete sound system for him in St. Louis and when they told Elvis's guys-they were warned they should not have done it (even though every rock act in 1970 was using this type sound system) Elvis will not like this they were told. Parker did not set this up-it was someone from outside. When Elvis took stage he was taken aback by the much better clearer sound he had never experienced on tour and from then on he had the best system to tour with. A small thing-my point is he learned from someone else something which helped him. But its just my opinion my friend.
Very well said. I can't pretend to fully understand his perspective; I do appreciate that. The things I have said have mostly been "I wish he had..." or "it's too bad he didn't..."

But I respect the man for all of the things he did and didn't do, the ups and downs, his reality.

Like you said, "It seems he needed to think with each project-'Its all on the line here'."

That's it, really. Even if it was just another recording session and he assumed correctly he would have a ridiculously limited amount of good material that actually filtered down to him (not to downplay that, as that reality and his acceptance of it were a huge travesty), he still could have approached it with the thought that it was an opportunity to do something great and that he would be recording something that he would not be able to take back...that would forever be associated with him.

Regarding that song material situation, he might have seen the next recording session as a chance to remedy that, an occasion for him to put his foot down once and for all on how that had to change, or else. He didn't -- he made a statement along those lines at least once apparently but didn't really stick to his guns -- but I am not judging him for that. The nature of his relationship with his manager, his rags to riches life experience and other related factors surely made him accept certain things.

These things are just a shame; that's all.

Great anecdote about the sound system, by the way. I'm not sure where I read that but it sounded familiar. Thanks for mentioning it.

[KPM]

Wasnt it in July 19th 1975 in Uniondale......:hmm:

Always heard he was abusing Liquid cocaine during the last tour of 76...not even sure what that is though..:blink:
I gave an explanation for this long ago-Dr. Nick says it was not liquid cocaine which Elvis was given on cotton balls in each nostril before shows (even though Nick knows thats what the MM thought it was.)
It was a combination of things including Lidocaine (xylocaine) which is similar to cocaine in chemical makeup-but has no stimulant properites it is used to help relax the throat and to open the bronchial tubes. Elvis had a huge fear of losing his voice during a show especially in Vegas and this treatment was one Nick came up with to insure that would not happen. Elvis insisted on it even when he was having no trouble vocally.
Ears, nose, and throat doctors and dentists use Lidocaine(xylocaine) to help treat patients and to numb the pharnyx area.

[8mmlowa]

for me its always funny that the people say if he had a challange then he would live longer - sorry thats so funny.

someone who die from a hard attack should take challanges - hmm

[KPM]

for me its always funny that the people say if he had a challange then he would live longer - sorry thats so funny.

someone who die from a hard attack should take challanges - hmm
The idea behind challenges is that when he was motivated he seemed happier and healthier. If you are happier and healthier perhaps you don't get a heart attack.

[Diane]

Lidocaine is also in a salve form used for rashes, insect bites etc. to take down swelling. It is a type of cortisone (steroid) that is non-addictive.

This is how these rumors get started....ignorance.

Diane

[SweetCaroline]

I hope that someday when I really am old(;)) that I don't suffer from dementia to the point of losing my Elvis memories.;):blush::blush::blink:

Well, if I am lucky enough to share the next ELVIS Nursing-Home bed...
I will holler in your ear...."ELVIS, Rosanne!!! Don't forget ELVIS!!!...and Vegas, kisses, scarves, Emilio, and flunky angels on the Hilton Showroom ceiling, or I will pinch your head off!!!" :lol::lmfao::lol::lmfao:

[utmom2008]

Well, if I am lucky enough to share the next ELVIS Nursing-Home bed...
I will holler in your ear...."ELVIS, Rosanne!!! Don't forget ELVIS!!!...and Vegas, kisses, scarves, Emilio, and flunky angels on the Hilton Showroom ceiling, or I will pinch your head off!!!" :lol::lmfao::lol::lmfao:

We would be great suite mates!(y)(y)(y) Welcome back Sweet lady....it is REALLY good to see you.:hug::hug:

[SweetCaroline]

We would be great suite mates!(y)(y)(y) Welcome back Sweet lady....it is REALLY good to see you.:hug::hug:

Thanks, Rosanne. :hug:

[Unchained Melody]

I gave an explanation for this long ago-Dr. Nick says it was not liquid cocaine which Elvis was given on cotton balls in each nostril before shows (even though Nick knows thats what the MM thought it was.)
It was a combination of things including Lidocaine (xylocaine) which is similar to cocaine in chemical makeup-but has no stimulant properites it is used to help relax the throat and to open the bronchial tubes. Elvis had a huge fear of losing his voice during a show especially in Vegas and this treatment was one Nick came up with to insure that would not happen. Elvis insisted on it even when he was having no trouble vocally.
Ears, nose, and throat doctors and dentists use Lidocaine(xylocaine) to help treat patients and to numb the pharnyx area.

Ken thank you for the informative reply to my question (y)

I did hear Lamar Fike talking about that on the Final Days Of Elvis E! True Hollywood Story...