Being Elvis's friend

[MissyM]

What qualities do you think Elvis was drawn to in a friend.
I'd say loyalty. And the ability to laugh and have fun.

[Merry]

I agree, Missy. Loyalty is paramount with me, too.

I think the fun and laughter, along with the ability to be serious, too. To be able to talk, and feel comfortable to be oneself completely, knowing all you say is safe and private, no matter what the circumstances.

[ehollier]

I think that Elvis regarded loyalty as the paramount of qualities in a friend. However, I also think he wanted a friend who would also be very protective of him, personally (of his person) and figuratively (of his whereabouts and his circumstances). I imagine humor would also be a given since he had an infectious laugh and bizarre sense of humor.

[elvislady]

I agree with all the above but i would also say elvis would want honesty in his friends.
elvislady:D

[LianaKaralivanou]

I agree with all of you. I'd say loyalty, honesty, trust and good sense of humor.

[shelley.m.]

I agree with all of you. I'd say loyalty, honesty, trust and good sense of humor.

I agree with you all the way.

[Stryx]

I agree with all of you. I'd say loyalty, honesty, trust and good sense of humor.

A lot of people are syaing honesty.

How honest do you think people around him actually were? They were probabaly honest on occasions - but how do you tell Elvis Presley that his movies and the songs hes recording with them are starting to suck?

Then how do you honestly tell him that he has a weight problem and a drug problem.

Yes some did, but the majority kept their mouths shut and smiled at him.



I think that Elvis chose friends who were from a similiar background to himself. People who liked the same foods and traditions he did. I also think he was drawn to people who were a bit different or who he thought he could help.Certainly starting out I think those factors were important to him.

[MissyM]

Stryx, your last part, absolutely!

[buttonhead]

Loyalty does glued Elvis and many of his close friends.

I think it was more like take and give, when Elvis gave away car to his friends , and that person refused it , Elvis would simply say thats a gift of how much he is grateful to have them around.

There were few of his friend who came to him once awhile for Christmas just to see what Elvis would gave that person ..and that person was not much around Elvis in the several years of his live, Elvis handed the guy a 5 dollar gift certificate to McDonald's..:blush: i think it was 5 dollars or may be less..

I really don't want to mentioned who that elvis friend is( some of you may knew ) ;),....I am here just to share my opinion.

[Getlo]

Loyalty, no question.

But everyone around Elvis was - in many cases - a yes man.

"Great show, Elvis" (whjen it might not have been).

Laughing at every single one of his stupid jokes like he was the funniest guy in the world.

"You look great, Elvis ..." ;)

Real honesty would have done him the world of good.

[suspicious_mind]

I dont know...but whatever he wanted he never got it from any of them.
If he wanted loyalty they all messed that up.
Honesty - they all messed that up too.
Elvis was the one that was all of that to all of THEM.

[Diane]

I think loyalty and support was the most important qualities he wanted in his friends and he got neither.

Diane

[Getlo]

If he wanted loyalty they all messed that up. Honesty - they all messed that up too. Elvis was the one that was all of that to all of THEM.

Where to begin ... ;)

On one side, Charlie - for example - was always loyal.

On the other side, Elvis was dishonest and disloyal at times.

[MissyM]

What do you consider a yes man Getlo???? Are most of us who have a job "yessers"? Try telling your boss what he should do, how he should do it, when he should and see how long you have a job. I know in my field, that doesn't fly real well.

[Stryx]

Very true Getlo.

Elvis was no saint and nether were the guys or Priscilla!

[MissyM]

Cilla didn't work for him though. The guys covered for Elvis often and Elvis bailed their butts out too at times. Friends watch each other's backs. I'm not sure why people feel much of went on isn't typical of the situation. Many top notch Rockers and their entourage, do not really settle down untill they are much older. There are programs that have shown this type of thing. Gees, it's men. Kids in a candy shop go wild. With that comes plenty of chaos and problems.

[Getlo]

What do you consider a yes man Getlo????

Someone who agrees with what their leader says, without question, even if they don't agree with it. Anyone who lowers their own standards, for whatever gains they see fit to try for. Basically, a yes man is a prostitute, who isn't being true to themselves.


Are most of us who have a job "yessers"?

Guess it depends on the job. And the person. If you always say "yes" to your boss without question, then you are a yes man. You should be able to explore your own ideas in whatever job you see fit to take.


Try telling your boss what he should do, how he should do it, when he should and see how long you have a job.

I made myself a promise not to have a boss for too long. I haven't had a boss in almost 20 years, and work for myself. I tell others what to do, but encourage free expression. I don't like staff who constantly say yes. I don't have anyone telling me what to do, and that is a wonderful feeling.


I know in my field, that doesn't fly real well.

Then I suggest trying another field. A good boss should be open to suggestions.

[Stryx]

Yeah hit the nail on the head

[MissyM]

Well, most doctors have an ego a mile long. Some even say they want suggestions but when it comes down to it, they don't listen alot. And they sure as heck do not want you questioning their judgement! It's great that you can be your own boss. That's why I am mine mostly being a nanny/caregiver when I am not in the medical field. But not everyone has that option. Not everyone has the attitude that you do as boss. Matter of fact, I venture to say that it is more commonly the exception rather than the rule. And people have to do what they have to do to survive and put food in the mouths of their families. How great if it were not so but that's why they are called bosses. They hold the cards. They hold the Aces too. And since you are probably the exception as opposed to the rule, there are billions of *****s out there in the working world. I've also found that the higher the profile of the boss, the more control they need/expect. That's reality.

[Unchained Melody]

What qualities do you think Elvis was drawn to in a friend.
I'd say loyalty. And the ability to laugh and have fun.

Easy going, easy to talk to, someone who could carry a conversation and who liked to have deep talks. Someone who was really down to earth and trustworthy.

[Wendy56]

Loyal, funny and with lots of energy to stay asleep for long time... Being an Elvis friend would have been the best experience ever.

[JDD]

Honestly from where I sit with the benefit of years of hind site by way of stories of those that were his friends. He seemed to for a friend, want an employee.

He wanted them at his beck and call 24 hours a day. If you weren't he got angry. He wanted them to leave their wives behind when it was time to do things with him. If you didn't he got angry. He wanted them to be there for him all the time . He seemed to like his friends on the pay role which seems natural since he did in fact want them around almost all the time. Some of it doesn't sound so friendly to me but as great as he was at entertaining he had problems . On the flip side he was generous and all the stories we've all heard but it came at a cost. Which is why I don't mind when they write books and tell their story for pay, because as much as it was his life, it was theirs too .

I'm sure some won't like my answer but thats my answer.

JD

[utmom2008]

He wanted them to leave their wives behind when it was time to do things with him. If you didn't he got angry.

True.....but I'm guessing he never had to twist their arm to get them to leave their wife behind. I'm thinking they probably enjoyed Elvis' leftovers.;);):blink::blink:

[franny]

Honestly from where I sit with the benefit of years of hind site by way of stories of those that were his friends. He seemed to for a friend, want an employee.

He wanted them at his beck and call 24 hours a day. If you weren't he got angry. He wanted them to leave their wives behind when it was time to do things with him. If you didn't he got angry. He wanted them to be there for him all the time . He seemed to like his friends on the pay role which seems natural since he did in fact want them around almost all the time. Some of it doesn't sound so friendly to me but as great as he was at entertaining he had problems . On the flip side he was generous and all the stories we've all heard but it came at a cost. Which is why I don't mind when they write books and tell their story for pay, because as much as it was his life, it was theirs too .

I'm sure some won't like my answer but thats my answer.

JD

I like your answer, Jim. I agree with what you said! (y)

Most of his friends' were his employees. Elvis did pick them, so he must have liked them..

Who was the very first one to work for Elvis? :hmm:

franny

[Unchained Melody]

True.....but I'm guessing he never had to twist their arm to get them to leave their wife behind. I'm thinking they probably enjoyed Elvis' leftovers.;);):blink::blink:

Of course not, they had all the women they wanted with elvis :lmfao:

[MissyM]

I'm trying to think of how many men would be different? Even men who love their wifes have a hard time not caving to temptations. The three biggest draws to being in the music world are ego trips, women, and the party. Doesn't mean they don't like the music part too, but they really like the icing on their cake. I'm a realist and I've seen this with my own eyes. Takes a strong, mature man to not let the little guy do most of his thinking. I don't mean to offend any men here, for some reason it's just the way they are made.

[Getlo]

I'm trying to think of how many men would be different? Even men who love their wifes have a hard time not caving to temptations.

Yes, because they are failures as human beings when it comes to respecting their marriage vows, or respecting the idea of being faithful to a girlfriend.

Men don't think with our d***s, we think with our heads every time.

"Temptation" is an excuse. Life is about choices. No one forced Elvis to be unfaithful, just as no one forces any other man. They made their choices.

[Teddy]

I liken being married to being a recovering alcoholic.
There's no overnight cure for the craving- you have to take it one day at a time and some of us are better at staying dry than others.

[KPM]

Honestly from where I sit with the benefit of years of hind site by way of stories of those that were his friends. He seemed to for a friend, want an employee.

He wanted them at his beck and call 24 hours a day. If you weren't he got angry. He wanted them to leave their wives behind when it was time to do things with him. If you didn't he got angry. He wanted them to be there for him all the time . He seemed to like his friends on the pay role which seems natural since he did in fact want them around almost all the time. Some of it doesn't sound so friendly to me but as great as he was at entertaining he had problems . On the flip side he was generous and all the stories we've all heard but it came at a cost. Which is why I don't mind when they write books and tell their story for pay, because as much as it was his life, it was theirs too .

I'm sure some won't like my answer but thats my answer.

JD
And each of these guys made the decision to do so-of their own free will.
We are always saying when its negative-that it was Elvis's choice to do this or that or his lack of change was his choice. So its only fair that this was also each of these guys choice to be on beck and call 24/7
But (as with Elvis) something in their mental make up made them agree to do so..
They also had problems, insecurities, wants, needs etc. It was an unwise decision to choose these guys as his employees and it was unwise for them to take the jobs.IMO
The friendships would have been better served for them all if they had just stayed friends and to have had others as employees IMO
But they interacted-they had an affect on Elvis, he had an affect on them.
No one in life is in a vacuum-with nothing touching, or being touched.

[utmom2008]

And each of these guys made the decision to do so-of their own free will.
We are always saying when its negative-that it was Elvis's choice to do this or that or his lack of change was his choice. So its only fair that this was also each of these guys choice to be on beck and call 24/7
But (as with Elvis) something in their mental make up made them agree to do so..
They also had problems, insecurities, wants, needs etc. It was an unwise decision to choose these guys as his employees and it was unwise for them to take the jobs.IMO
The friendships would have been better served for them all if they had just stayed friends and to have had others as employees IMO
But they interacted-they had an affect on Elvis, he had an affect on them.
No one in life is in a vacuum-with nothing touching, or being touched.

Great post! IF they had wanted to..they could have found "real" jobs.;);)

[MissyM]

Yes, because they are failures as human beings when it comes to respecting their marriage vows, or respecting the idea of being faithful to a girlfriend.
___________
Well, the reality would be then that there are a great portion of the male population that are failures as human beings then. (women to since they cheat)

As for Elvis having friends/family work for him, it's not such an oddity. I know so many people who own a business that have family working for them. It has it's up side and down sides. But to me thinking that somehow Elvis would have been better off, I don't know. While Elvis was alive, it would have been hard to trust people he didn't know. Lisa herself just got rid of a bunch of her staff because they could not be trusted with information gained by working for her. How many times have we heard of the problems of celebs from people they have employed?? They love to go public with all kinds of stories. Rob Lowe (http://cache.search.yahoo.net/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=Rob+Lowe+Law+suit&fr=my-myy&u=www.etonline.com/news/2008/04/60397/index.html&w=rob+lowe+%22law+suits%22+%22law+suit%22+lawsuit&d=J5HtwBg5RKc_&icp=1&.intl=us) comes to mind. With all that was going on it would have been a perfect setting for extortion. And then there is the possibily if even fictious of Priscilla being able to use it and deny his father-hood rights. And then there is the possiblity of people robbing him blind. (even more than it happened when he died)
My point being I see it equally as problematic hiring outsiders. No matter what happened after the death or just prior, for many years Elvis had people around him that he felt cared about him. He felt they loved him and protected him. Would you rather have had him have a more lonely life? Not me.

[Getlo]

Yes, because they are failures as human beings when it comes to respecting their marriage vows, or respecting the idea of being faithful to a girlfriend.
___________
Well, the reality would be then that there are a great portion of the male population that are failures as human beings then. (women to since they cheat)

Yes, obviously ... ;)

[presley31]

And each of these guys made the decision to do so-of their own free will.
We are always saying when its negative-that it was Elvis's choice to do this or that or his lack of change was his choice. So its only fair that this was also each of these guys choice to be on beck and call 24/7
But (as with Elvis) something in their mental make up made them agree to do so..
They also had problems, insecurities, wants, needs etc. It was an unwise decision to choose these guys as his employees and it was unwise for them to take the jobs.IMO
The friendships would have been better served for them all if they had just stayed friends and to have had others as employees IMO
But they interacted-they had an affect on Elvis, he had an affect on them.
No one in life is in a vacuum-with nothing touching, or being touched.

agree and great post(y)

[jak]

"I'm thinking they probably enjoyed Elvis' leftovers"

Elvis kept the "golden" ones to himself of course.

[Donut]

I can understand why he wanted friends to work for him. He had to be out working for long periods of time and it can be hard if you don´t have someone who is close to you. I think he did right and the proof is it worked for him for many many years.

[Getlo]

I can understand why he wanted friends to work for him. He had to be out working for long periods of time and it can be hard if you don´t have someone who is close to you. I think he did right and the proof is it worked for him for many many years.

Exactly.

Had Elvis chosen strangers for the jobs around him, he would have gone nuts and not enjoyed his time as The King of Rock'n'Roll.

He needed his friends around him.

It was indeed the right decision to hire his friends and buddies.

[ksimms2]

Loyalty does glued Elvis and many of his close friends.

I think it was more like take and give, when Elvis gave away car to his friends , and that person refused it , Elvis would simply say thats a gift of how much he is grateful to have them around.

There were few of his friend who came to him once awhile for Christmas just to see what Elvis would gave that person ..and that person was not much around Elvis in the several years of his live, Elvis handed the guy a 5 dollar gift certificate to McDonald's..:blush: i think it was 5 dollars or may be less..

I really don't want to mentioned who that elvis friend is( some of you may knew ) ;),....I am here just to share my opinion.

The $5 McDonald's Gift Card was a joke he played on the guys.....

[MissyM]

Which one of you would have turned him down???

[tony70]

Loyalty because he was very loyal to all his friends and Priscilla @ one time

[KPM]

"I'm thinking they probably enjoyed Elvis' leftovers"

Elvis kept the "golden" ones to himself of course.
That had to be worth something-perks are sometimes worth more to some than money!;)