The Memphis Mafia

[john carpenter]

YouTube - Memphis Mafia Remembers My favorite interview with the M.M.

[Pacerstar]

John, out of respect for you, I forced myself to watch some of that; but, I kept my
barf-bag handy.

[Trev1]

oh Marty and Lamar really please !!!!!
I have to admit sometimes they can be funny but othertimes they speak about
Elvis in such a disrespectful way !

[buttonhead]

Interesting... I dont understand why marty always look angry..even when he wasnt angry.. ahh never mind. thanks for sharing jc.

[shelley.m.]

Very interesting,David.Thanks.

[franny]

I haven't seen this before...so, Vernon used to abuse Gladys?
When was this interview done?
Thanks, for posting David.

franny

[ELVIS69FOREVER]

These Guys Can Rot In Hell

[debtdbruno]

John, out of respect for you, I forced myself to watch some of that; but, I kept my
barf-bag handy.


:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[MissyM]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.

[Pacerstar]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.
How do we know that what they tell IS the truth?:hmm::hmm::hmm:

[buttonhead]

Oh Boy, JC... your intention of posting this video is genuine... so sorry with some remarks.. i found it funny yet i dont know very observant in too many different levels ... to each of their own... but let me say this : this thread will be ' so complicated ' so to speak in a long run :D :D...

But i guess you know its coming , right ? :lmfao:

like many hillibillies would say: TCB Y'all..

[TotallyInsane]

Funny thing though, is the fact that they haven't shared many of the stories about themselves when they were rude, crude, mean and disgusting. No wonder Elvis was such a lonely guy - being the only rude and crude guy and living with a bunch of little angels. Their stories might be a little bit more believable if they would tell more of the crap that they did! I guess we'll get the truth out of them one by one as they die - they'll rat each other out for the almighty dollar!

[TotallyInsane]

Oh Boy, JC... your intention of posting this video is genuine... so sorry with some remarks.. i found it funny yet i dont know very observant in too many different levels ... to each of their own... but let me say this : this thread will be ' so complicated ' so to speak in a long run :D :D...

But i guess you know its coming , right ? :lmfao:

like many hillibillies would say: TCB Y'all..

HILLIBILLIES????? Tell me it's not true!!!! :lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[buttonhead]

HILLIBILLIES????? Tell me it's not true!!!! :lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:



I plead innocent of all charges...Gail..just like Elvis said :P

yes its true.. hillbillies everywhere...


Do you know we still have ' hee-haw ' on TV here ??? :lmfao::lmfao:

they have this show telling you how to trade your donkeys... and what we call train toy shows.. it is basically telling you how to run a train straight ahead ... Huh ???

they used to tape ' Beverly Hillbillies' here in Branson.. :lmfao: they have the site as one of the tourist destination...

Naw... ahh its complicated ...:P

[TotallyInsane]

I plead innocent of all charges...Gail..just like Elvis said :P

yes its true.. hillbillies everywhere...


Do you know we still have ' hee-haw ' on TV here ??? :lmfao::lmfao:

they have this show telling you how to trade your donkeys... and what we call train toy shows.. it is basically telling you how to run a train straight ahead ... Huh ???

they used to tape ' Beverly Hillbillies' here in Branson.. :lmfao: they have the site as one of the tourist destination...

Naw... ahh its complicated ...:P

I can't believe ya'll still watch Hee Haw!! Ya'll need to get with the times!
I would like to visit Branson sometime - I'd like to see that cement swimming pond!! :lmfao::lmfao:

[Pacerstar]

Funny thing though, is the fact that they haven't shared many of the stories about themselves when they were rude, crude, mean and disgusting. No wonder Elvis was such a lonely guy - being the only rude and crude guy and living with a bunch of little angels. Their stories might be a little bit more believable if they would tell more of the crap that they did! I guess we'll get the truth out of them one by one as they die - they'll rat each other out for the almighty dollar!

Right On(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)Lisa Marie could tell things, I think!

[Donut]

YouTube - Memphis Mafia Remembers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ggk-7TNuK8) My favorite interview with the M.M.

I have this video somewhere and I know what you mean. You can agree or not with them for what they tell about Elvis but it's like any friends reunion talking about a common friend.

[SweetCaroline]

John, out of respect for you, I forced myself to watch some of that; but, I kept my
barf-bag handy.


:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[MissyM]

Are you kidding me,???? they have told plenty of stories about themselves and they don't paint themselves as angels, far from it. They've said they were cheaters, did drugs, got into trouble and many more things. It's all out there in books and interviews. But then I don't think the purpose of the interview here was to talk about themselves. They were asked to speak about Elvis. Now if they went off on a tangent about themselves people would say that they are self-promoting. The bottom line is no one but those on the inside know if they are lying or not.

[buttonhead]

I have this video somewhere and I know what you mean. You can agree or not with them for what they tell about Elvis but it's like any friends reunion talking about a common friend.


thats right... it was like a reunion.. its unbelievable feelings i got when i saw each and every one of them.. a grown men got teary eyed as they reminiscing the good and the bad... it did make me want to cry too..
good post, dough-nut :D

[buttonhead]

I can't believe ya'll still watch Hee Haw!! Ya'll need to get with the times!
I would like to visit Branson sometime - I'd like to see that cement swimming pond!! :lmfao::lmfao:


yes... unfortunately its true..' hee haw ' still alive... Gail, i will see if i could find a youtube video of some of funny moments ... i'll post it on your 'for old lady eyes only' thread... (y)


you want us to get with the times ?... you should tell that to Andy Williams.. yes he still alive and sing great (y).. only in branson ;)

[TotallyInsane]

Are you kidding me,???? they have told plenty of stories about themselves and they don't paint themselves as angels, far from it. They've said they were cheaters, did drugs, got into trouble and many more things. It's all out there in books and interviews. But then I don't think the purpose of the interview here was to talk about themselves. They were asked to speak about Elvis. Now it they went off on a tangent about themselves people would say that they are self-promoting. The bottom line is no one but those on the inside know if they are lying or not.

You're absolutely right - only the people on the inside know.

[TotallyInsane]

yes... unfortunately its true..' hee haw ' still alive... Gail, i will see if i could find a youtube video of some of funny moments ... i'll post it on your 'for old lady eyes only' thread... (y)


you want us to get with the times ?... you should tell that to Andy Williams.. yes he still alive and sing great (y).. only in branson ;)


Andy Williams is still alive? What is he now - about 109???? :lmfao::lmfao:

[franny]

How do we know that what they tell IS the truth?:hmm::hmm::hmm:

You're right, we don't know...not saying they are lying, but we don't really know..

franny

[buttonhead]

Andy Williams is still alive? What is he now - about 109???? :lmfao::lmfao:


I think :lol:


:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[midnight]

HILLIBILLIES????? Tell me it's not true!!!! :lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

Rosanne and I use to laugh at some of the folks she would call "Hillbillies". My husband would say," In some places, teeth are considered an accessory." She found that so funny. We also have folk around here like that but we call them....Newfies.:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

I know this is off topic...but my mom's dream is to go to Branson!

[buttonhead]

Rosanne and I use to laugh at some of the folks she would call "Hillbillies". My husband would say," In some places, teeth are considered an accessory." She found that so funny. We also have folk around here like that but we call them....Newfies.:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

I know this is off topic...but my mom's dream is to go to Branson!


Remember Elvis used to be call as : Hillbilly Cat..?? and his band was The Blue Moon Boys ?? when they first started it out..

it is off topic Kim... but yes Branson is family friendly place for vacation... also we have alot of senior citizens and veterans coming down to town ..

[Donut]

good post, dough-nut :D

Thank you :D http://www.elhuevodechocolate.com/images/botones.gif

[LianaKaralivanou]

Andy Williams is still alive? What is he now - about 109???? :lmfao::lmfao:


:lmfao: :lmfao: He is 82 years old, Gail. He was born in 1927.

[buttonhead]

:lmfao: :lmfao: He is 82 years old, Gail. He was born in 1927.


Liana, you know how Gail is...:lmfao:

[LianaKaralivanou]

Liana, you know how Gail is...:lmfao:

I do Dessy, I do! And I like it!...;)

[jak]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.


Outstanding post.

[jak]

Im one of those who still watch Hee Haw.They broadcast it on the RFD network on DirectTv.It's worth watching for two reasons.One is great music.The other is the Hee Haw Honeys.

[MissyM]

Thanks Jak. I get a bit hypersensitive when people say one of my kin can burn in hell. I heard these truths about Gladys and Vernon (and a whole lot more) long before they were anything significant. My MIL did not like men who abused their wifes-that how it came up in a conversation. And since my hubs is related to Elvis's family, I stopped being ashamed of or worried about the truth long ago.
There is a huge big pix out there of Elvis's life, family and ways, a person can embrace and do what they want with. But it was what it was and you can't change it period.

[jak]

Thanks Jak. I get a bit hypersensitive when people say one of my kin can burn in hell. I heard these truths about Gladys and Vernon (and a whole lot more) long before they were anything significant. My MIL did not like men who abused their wifes-that how it came up in a conversation. And since my hubs is related to Elvis's family, I stopped being ashamed of or worried about the truth long ago.
There is a huge big pix out there of Elvis's life, family and ways, a person can embrace and do what they want with. But it was what it was and you can't change it period.

I think it's easy to forget that Elvis and his family were subject to trials and tribulations just like anyone else.It's hard not to put Elvis on a pedastal and think he was somehow perfect.Obviously he wasnt.I dont know of any person or family that is.The majority of fans just never got to see what Elvis was like behind closed doors.I've always maintained that Elvis the man would be very different from the image that was created around him.I honestly think many people might be a little surprised how different the two were.Please dont think Im trying to knock him either because Im not.I just think so many people expected to much of him because of their adoration and the image that was always portrayed.

[Diane]

I think it's easy to forget that Elvis and his family were subject to trials and tribulations just like anyone else.It's hard not to put Elvis on a pedastal and think he was somehow perfect.Obviously he wasnt.I dont know of any person or family that is.The majority of fans just never got to see what Elvis was like behind closed doors.I've always maintained that Elvis the man would be very different from the image that was created around him.I honestly think many people might be a little surprised how different the two were.Please dont think Im trying to knock him either because Im not.I just think so many people expected to much of him because of their adoration and the image that was always portrayed.

I agree absolutely!(y)(y)(y)

It's never good to put anyone on a pedestal. We all have our failings and our good points...Elvis was no different.

Diane

[MissyM]

Sometimes there are simple reasons why certain situations happened. Some not so righteous, but still the truth is what helps gain understanding.
I'm sure there are skeletons in every family, some just are able to hide them better.
I'll say one thing though, no matter what people know, there were/are some very wonderful, funny, generous, southernly kind people in his family, just as he was.

[jak]

"I'll say one thing though, no matter what people know, there were/are some very wonderful, funny, generous, southernly kind people in his family, just as he was."

Absolutely.Overall I do believe Elvis was a person that deserved the adoration and accalades given to him.He was someone worthy of our respect, and I have always looked up to him.

[john carpenter]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.
You are exactly right Missy. And it has nothing to do with disrecting Elvis either. He was a human being. He could be crude & disgusting (hell i am too):lmfao:But, what shocked me was Vernon abusing Gladys.:angry: I heard she would get drunk & get a smart mouth on her. It doesn't excuse Vernon hitting her though! Great post Missy. We have to remember ...as much as we admire & respect Elvis..he had faults People:blink:

[Tony Trout]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.


BRAVE, MISSY!!! BRILLIANT POST!! :notworthy:notworthy:notworthy




How do we know that what they tell IS the truth?:hmm::hmm::hmm:

Some of them (namely Lamar) worked/lived with Elvis for the entire 20 years he owned Graceland so....I think he should know just a little bit of the truth even if he does embellish his stories.






Are you kidding me,???? they have told plenty of stories about themselves and they don't paint themselves as angels, far from it. They've said they were cheaters, did drugs, got into trouble and many more things. It's all out there in books and interviews. But then I don't think the purpose of the interview here was to talk about themselves. They were asked to speak about Elvis. Now if they went off on a tangent about themselves people would say that they are self-promoting. The bottom line is no one but those on the inside know if they are lying or not.


Outstanding post.


I agree absolutely!(y)(y)(y)

It's never good to put anyone on a pedestal. We all have our failings and our good points...Elvis was no different.

Diane


No, it's not good at all to put anyone on a pedestal - as a matter of fact, Jesus, Himself, said for us to "reverence no man - only God". No one, except Jesus/God, was/is perfect. Unfortunately there are still some fans out there (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here at all) who think Elvis never did anything wrong and they thought he could walk on water - that's going way too far with their 'fandom', IMO.

Elvis put his clothes/pants/jumpsuits on one leg/sleeve at a time just like us. He was a tremendously talented and gifted human being who, unfortunately and sadly, made some wrong/unhealthy choices in life - and it cost him the ultimate sacrifice: his own life.

As the song says: "Before you abuse, criticize, and accuse - walk a mile in my shoes!".

[Diane]

Sometimes there are simple reasons why certain situations happened. Some not so righteous, but still the truth is what helps gain understanding.
I'm sure there are skeletons in every family, some just are able to hide them better.
I'll say one thing though, no matter what people know, there were/are some very wonderful, funny, generous, southernly kind people in his family, just as he was.


Very nice posts Missy and I totally agree with both. (y)(y)(y)

Diane

[debtdbruno]

Fantastic posts by everyone, enjoying this very much

[GraceeD1970]

Enjoyed the video. I did like the guys in his entourage. They tell some good stories.

[chinese doll]

haven't seen this before.sooooo interesting...

[T_J]

I find the guys amusing sometimes, but also think that at times they cover territory that is just a little too personal and unnecessary. We really don't need to know absolutely everything about Elvis and there are some things that anyone would expect friends to keep to themselves. That's what I always admired about Charlie. While his glossing over of certain areas might mean he wasn't the most authoritative source, it also meant that he was loyal to his friend.

[Pacerstar]

I find the guys amusing sometimes, but also think that at times they cover territory that is just a little too personal and unnecessary. We really don't need to know absolutely everything about Elvis and there are some things that anyone would expect friends to keep to themselves. That's what I always admired about Charlie. While his glossing over of certain areas might mean he wasn't the most authoritative source, it also meant that he was loyal to his friend.

I totally agree with you. The public don't have a right or a need to know
every private moment of Elvis' life. And I think that his friends should have
always been protective of his privacy, like he was. Yes, I admit, I wanted
to know so much about Elvis; but, after so many of the tell-all books, I
realized that there was so much that I didn't want to or have a right know.
I stopped buying the books and watching the tv programs with these people
on them. The Elvis that I saw live on the concert stage was the Elvis I wanted to know and the Elvis that I love!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[TotallyInsane]

I totally agree with you. The public don't have a right or a need to know
every private moment of Elvis' life. And I think that his friends should have
always been protective of his privacy, like he was. Yes, I admit, I wanted
to know so much about Elvis; but, after so many of the tell-all books, I
realized that there was so much that I didn't want to or have a right know.
I stopped buying the books and watching the tv programs with these people
on them. The Elvis that I saw live on the concert stage was the Elvis I wanted to know and the Elvis that I love!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)


I'm with you - so much of it was just "TMI".

[Junebug]

(y) to TJ, Pacerstar, and TotallyInsane's posts!

Whichever way Elvis, or even Priscilla, was/is has nothing to do with the Memphis Mafia. They themselves are responsible and accountable for their behavior - no matter what stories they are telling. I think they hide behind a bunch of defenses and play victims to the situation. Yes, there is good and bad not only in Elvis's life but in many other artists' lives past and present. We know that. The distinction though is that Elvis has 'friends' who have a unique approach in honoring their 'friend's' life - an approach that IMO seems lacking in the 'honor' category.

IMO, they - these MM - are misleading themselves in believing people are recoiling just because they tell their 'truth' of Elvis's life.

Rude, crude, mean and disgusting.........'the truth'.

[SweetCaroline]

I find the guys amusing sometimes, but also think that at times they cover territory that is just a little too personal and unnecessary. We really don't need to know absolutely everything about Elvis and there are some things that anyone would expect friends to keep to themselves. That's what I always admired about Charlie. While his glossing over of certain areas might mean he wasn't the most authoritative source, it also meant that he was loyal to his friend.

IMO...You said it perfectly. Thank you.

[Diane]

I find the guys amusing sometimes, but also think that at times they cover territory that is just a little too personal and unnecessary. We really don't need to know absolutely everything about Elvis and there are some things that anyone would expect friends to keep to themselves. That's what I always admired about Charlie. While his glossing over of certain areas might mean he wasn't the most authoritative source, it also meant that he was loyal to his friend.

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

Diane

[Pacerstar]

(y) to TJ, Pacerstar, and TotallyInsane's posts!

Whichever way Elvis, or even Priscilla, was/is has nothing to do with the Memphis Mafia. They themselves are responsible and accountable for their behavior - no matter what stories they are telling. I think they hide behind a bunch of defenses and play victims to the situation. Yes, there is good and bad not only in Elvis's life but in many other artists' lives past and present. We know that. The distinction though is that Elvis has 'friends' who have a unique approach in honoring their 'friend's' life - an approach that IMO seems lacking in the 'honor' category.

IMO, they - these MM - are misleading themselves in believing people are recoiling just because they tell their 'truth' of Elvis's life.

Rude, crude, mean and disgusting.........'the truth'.
I totally agree with you.(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[MissyM]

Can you explain why you think they played victims?? This video was not about accountability, that wasn't even brought up. And if you listen (as I said) and read, they do hold themselves accountable for many actions, and even have regrets. But everyone does in life. Don't you, don't you wish you had done things differently. That's the good and bad in being olde.....hind-sight is 20/20. As it is for us when we judge them. Did anyone hate them when they with Elvis?? I understand the TMI thing, but I'm a realist, ya..30 plus years later with so much media still dedicated to the man.....I figured just about 70 of his actions would come to light anyway.
Why should they have to protect his reputation, he's dead? They are alive. They have been hurt by many things people say about them, some aren't the truth.
You know I'd just like to ask one thing: If it were you and your life and actions were written about portrayed in movies, and talked about endlessly, and there were misconceptions....would you just fade into the back of the scene and never come out and tell your side??
There are prob. things I personally would have chosen to leave off. But I think everyone expected so much out of Elvis when he was just a human being. I think the same of the MM. I'm sure his love for them wasn't perfect and I'm sure theirs for him wasn't either. But like couples who stay togeather in bad times and good, and we may think, "How can that man or women put up with that person, for some reason they are draw to be togeather. I think the same was for Elvis and his guys. They must have provide something he inwardly needed or they would not have been there. And it was his choosing and their's for whatever reason. Not all my friendships are the best. And some I've had for over 40 years, but I still wouldn't give them up.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't give a rats rump what people say about me once I'm gone. And unless someone can talk to the dead, no one knows how Elvis feels either about things they've said.
I know, many feel they could have done better when he was alive or after he died, but we were not them. We don't really know if we could have for sure.

[Pacerstar]

Can you explain why you think they played victims?? This video was not about accountability, that wasn't even brought up. And if you listen (as I said) and read, they do hold themselves accountable for many actions, and even have regrets. But everyone does in life. Don't you, don't you wish you had done things differently. That's the good and bad in being olde.....hind-sight is 20/20. As it is for us when we judge them. Did anyone hate them when they with Elvis?? I understand the TMI thing, but I'm a realist, ya..30 plus years later with so much media still dedicated to the man.....I figured just about 70 of his actions would come to light anyway.
Why should they have to protect his reputation, he's dead? They are alive. They have been hurt by many things people say about them, some aren't the truth.
You know I'd just like to ask one thing: If it were you and your life and actions were written about portrayed in movies, and talked about endlessly, and there were misconceptions....would you just fade into the back of the scene and never come out and tell your side??
There are prob. things I personally would have chosen to leave off. But I think everyone expected so much out of Elvis when he was just a human being. I think the same of the MM. I'm sure his love for them wasn't perfect and I'm sure theirs for him wasn't either. But like couples who stay togeather in bad times and good, and we may think, "How can that man or women put up with that person, for some reason they are draw to be togeather. I think the same was for Elvis and his guys. They must have provide something he inwardly needed or they would not have been there. And it was his choosing and their's for whatever reason. Not all my friendships are the best. And some I've had for over 40 years, but I still wouldn't give them up.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't give a rats rump what people say about me once I'm gone. And unless someone can talk to the dead, no one knows how Elvis feels either about things they've said.
I know, many feel they could have done better when he was alive or after he died, but we were not them. We don't really know if we could have for sure.

"Did anyone hate them when they were with Elvis?" I didn't hate them; but
there were some of them that I did not like even then."Why do they have
to protect his reputation now?" I, for one, have not said that they have to
protect his reputation. I said, they should have protected his privacy, as he
did. Also, have you heard of one thing bad that Elvis had to say about any
one of them? I have not! If they have been hurt by things that people have
said, it is my opinion, they put themselves in that position. I don't believe that
anything that is said about Elvis will hurt him now; but, he left family, friends
and fans behind that these things were hurtful to. And imagine the hurt
his little daughter must have felt when she read this crap! No, we don't know
how Elvis felt about the things they have said against him; but it has been
said that he forgave some of them before he passed away. That, in my opinion, speaks volumes about the kind of man Elvis was. And yes, 20/20
hindsight does make things seem more clear as time passes; but, these guys
were accepted into Elvis' world as friends by him and it is my feeling that
they should have honored that position during his life and after his death.
There is an old saying, "keep your friends close and your enemies even closer"
Don't bother to protect me from my enemies; just protect me from my
friends! I don't think Elvis' reputation needs protection from anyone. I also
don't think true friends would set out to drag a friend through the mud for
profit or revenge either.:blink::blink::blink::blink::blink::blink:

[TotallyInsane]

Can you explain why you think they played victims?? This video was not about accountability, that wasn't even brought up. And if you listen (as I said) and read, they do hold themselves accountable for many actions, and even have regrets. But everyone does in life. Don't you, don't you wish you had done things differently. That's the good and bad in being olde.....hind-sight is 20/20. As it is for us when we judge them. Did anyone hate them when they with Elvis?? I understand the TMI thing, but I'm a realist, ya..30 plus years later with so much media still dedicated to the man.....I figured just about 70 of his actions would come to light anyway.
Why should they have to protect his reputation, he's dead? They are alive. They have been hurt by many things people say about them, some aren't the truth.
You know I'd just like to ask one thing: If it were you and your life and actions were written about portrayed in movies, and talked about endlessly, and there were misconceptions....would you just fade into the back of the scene and never come out and tell your side??
There are prob. things I personally would have chosen to leave off. But I think everyone expected so much out of Elvis when he was just a human being. I think the same of the MM. I'm sure his love for them wasn't perfect and I'm sure theirs for him wasn't either. But like couples who stay togeather in bad times and good, and we may think, "How can that man or women put up with that person, for some reason they are draw to be togeather. I think the same was for Elvis and his guys. They must have provide something he inwardly needed or they would not have been there. And it was his choosing and their's for whatever reason. Not all my friendships are the best. And some I've had for over 40 years, but I still wouldn't give them up.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't give a rats rump what people say about me once I'm gone. And unless someone can talk to the dead, no one knows how Elvis feels either about things they've said.
I know, many feel they could have done better when he was alive or after he died, but we were not them. We don't really know if we could have for sure.

Why did they have to protect his reputation? They didn't! But, they darn sure didn't have to set out to destroy it either! I'm sorry but this is hitting very close to home right now and I may be venting a little too much. But, I tell you one darn thing - if anyone on this board were to try and say a THING about my best friend, Rosanne, I would come out fighting with everything I have. As her best friend, I would not set out to tell all of you what a horrible person and all her faults (IF SHE HAD ANY) to get attention or make a buck off her. That's what a "real" best friend does - you love them when they're here and you continue to love them when they're gone. If anyone thinks it's ok to dog a family member or a best friend just because they're gone - well then I guess I'm glad I'm not a member of your family or your best friend.

And, for the record, there were several of them that Rosanne and I DID NOT LIKE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THEM NOW.

[TotallyInsane]

"Did anyone hate them when they were with Elvis?" I didn't hate them; but
there were some of them that I did not like even then."Why do they have
to protect his reputation now?" I, for one, have not said that they have to
protect his reputation. I said, they should have protected his privacy, as he
did. Also, have you heard of one thing bad that Elvis had to say about any
one of them? I have not! If they have been hurt by things that people have
said, it is my opinion, they put themselves in that position. I don't believe that
anything that is said about Elvis will hurt him now; but, he left family, friends
and fans behind that these things were hurtful to. And imagine the hurt
his little daughter must have felt when she read this crap! No, we don't know
how Elvis felt about the things they have said against him; but it has been
said that he forgave some of them before he passed away. That, in my opinion, speaks volumes about the kind of man Elvis was. And yes, 20/20
hindsight does make things seem more clear as time passes; but, these guys
were accepted into Elvis' world as friends by him and it is my feeling that
they should have honored that position during his life and after his death.
There is an old saying, "keep your friends close and your enemies even closer"
Don't bother to protect me from my enemies; just protect me from my
friends! I don't think Elvis' reputation needs protection from anyone. I also
don't think true friends would set out to drag a friend through the mud for
profit or revenge either.:blink::blink::blink::blink::blink::blink:

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y
:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy :notworthy:notworthy

[midnight]

Why did they have to protect his reputation? They didn't! But, they darn sure didn't have to set out to destroy it either! I'm sorry but this is hitting very close to home right now and I may be venting a little too much. But, I tell you one darn thing - if anyone on this board were to try and say a THING about my best friend, Rosanne, I would come out fighting with everything I have. As her best friend, I would not set out to tell all of you what a horrible person and all her faults (IF SHE HAD ANY) to get attention or make a buck off her. That's what a "real" best friend does - you love them when they're here and you continue to love them when they're gone. If anyone thinks it's ok to dog a family member or a best friend just because they're gone - well then I guess I'm glad I'm not a member of your family or your best friend.

And, for the record, there were several of them that Rosanne and I DID NOT LIKE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THEM NOW.

You said it sister!!!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Junebug]

Can you explain why you think they played victims?? This video was not about accountability, that wasn't even brought up. And if you listen (as I said) and read, they do hold themselves accountable for many actions, and even have regrets. But everyone does in life. Don't you, don't you wish you had done things differently. That's the good and bad in being olde.....hind-sight is 20/20. As it is for us when we judge them. Did anyone hate them when they with Elvis?? I understand the TMI thing, but I'm a realist, ya..30 plus years later with so much media still dedicated to the man.....I figured just about 70 of his actions would come to light anyway.
Why should they have to protect his reputation, he's dead? They are alive. They have been hurt by many things people say about them, some aren't the truth.
You know I'd just like to ask one thing: If it were you and your life and actions were written about portrayed in movies, and talked about endlessly, and there were misconceptions....would you just fade into the back of the scene and never come out and tell your side??
There are prob. things I personally would have chosen to leave off. But I think everyone expected so much out of Elvis when he was just a human being. I think the same of the MM. I'm sure his love for them wasn't perfect and I'm sure theirs for him wasn't either. But like couples who stay togeather in bad times and good, and we may think, "How can that man or women put up with that person, for some reason they are draw to be togeather. I think the same was for Elvis and his guys. They must have provide something he inwardly needed or they would not have been there. And it was his choosing and their's for whatever reason. Not all my friendships are the best. And some I've had for over 40 years, but I still wouldn't give them up.
Maybe it's just me, but I don't give a rats rump what people say about me once I'm gone. And unless someone can talk to the dead, no one knows how Elvis feels either about things they've said.
I know, many feel they could have done better when he was alive or after he died, but we were not them. We don't really know if we could have for sure.

Sure...but it will be quick....

I'm not judging them. I just don't happen to care for the manner in which they choose to speak about Elvis. And its not about a need to sugarcoat anything....that's another defense.

I don't know what the video was about - I didn't watch it - I was responding to the posts I referenced.

Playing victim and no accountability?

They pass the buck, dear - they did what they did because Elvis wanted them to, because they didn't know the author of EWH was going to write the book that way, because the Elvis fans want to know about him 'flaws and all', because of the Colonel.....the list of excuses goes on and on and on........

Were they not born with a set of b*lls????????

Are they puppets????????

Are they lead around by a ring through their nose?????

You mention hate. Not sure how that comes into play but okay.

Glad you're a realist and can assume for another person - living or not - what will be revealed about that person anyway. ????? :hmm:

Why should they have to protect his reputation?
They don't have to do anything they don't want to and obviously haven't.
(Please note the flip side of this is that they do what they want to and obviously have. ;))

And your reasoning of death as an excuse for lack of respect for a person goes way beyond anyway I choose to believe exists in the world. Sorry.

Yes, alot of people are hurt by the many things other say about them, some aren't the truth. In addition to Elvis, both Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley have experienced this hurt. Never stopped them though.

"If it were you and your life and actions were written about portrayed in movies, and talked about endlessly, and there were misconceptions....would you just fade into the back of the scene and never come out and tell your side??"

I really don't know because that hasn't happened to me.
BUT we do know it has happened to Elvis at the hands of the MM - 30 yrs. worth and counting - just he can never come out and tell his side........ remember????

I don't know who's asking for perfection. To me, bringing that up is just another defense to hide behind.

For whatever reasons they chose to be with each other. Okay.
No not all friendships are the best. Okay.
You don't care what people say about you when your gone. Okay.
No we can't talk to Elvis to see how he feels. Okay.

Again, I don't care for the way they choose to 'honor' Elvis. My opinion, my preference, my viewpoint..........

And quite frankly, I don't even get this - What do the MM care about opinion at this stage of the game anyway????

As you said quite clearly before - Their JOB is over with!!!!!

And as a realist, wouldn't you agree it is not only likely but highly probable that not everyone cares for the MM to the same degree you might?????

:hmm:


It's late.
Good night.

[sasha]

Why did they have to protect his reputation? They didn't! But, they darn sure didn't have to set out to destroy it either! I'm sorry but this is hitting very close to home right now and I may be venting a little too much. But, I tell you one darn thing - if anyone on this board were to try and say a THING about my best friend, Rosanne, I would come out fighting with everything I have. As her best friend, I would not set out to tell all of you what a horrible person and all her faults (IF SHE HAD ANY) to get attention or make a buck off her. That's what a "real" best friend does - you love them when they're here and you continue to love them when they're gone. If anyone thinks it's ok to dog a family member or a best friend just because they're gone - well then I guess I'm glad I'm not a member of your family or your best friend.

And, for the record, there were several of them that Rosanne and I DID NOT LIKE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THEM NOW.

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

You tell it girl. I've never understood why a "friend", much less a "family member" would feel a need to tear someone down.
Unless there lies a bit of jealousy ? :doh:

[debtdbruno]

They were only there for the lifestyle being around Elvis offered.
Now it's all about $$$$$$$$$$

[Brian]

I don't really see the problem fans have with most of the Memphis mafia.

I think some fans confuse not liking the MM as people with finding them unreliable.
People may not like Lamar Fike and I feel he gives away too much personal information about Elvis sometimes but that doesn't mean what he says is untrue I think most of what he says is true.

A lot of fans don't like Red and Sonny West mainly because they wrote a tell all book about Elvis. I have found out that many of them that don't like Red and Sonny because of the book have never even bothered to read it they just assume it was malacious because they wrote it.
If you actually read EWH it's not as bad as a lot of other books that have been written about Elvis it's actually quite tame and a lot of the stories that originated in the book were subsequently put in other books.
Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books.
In the taped phone call conversation between Elvis and Red West he seems more concerned about the Joe Espsito racquetball fiasco.


A lot of fans say the Memphis mafia were there for what they could get i'm sure that's partially true to some extent.
Some of the guys befriended Elvis while they were High school and Elvis didn't give out much money but they probably enjoyed the lifestyle like traveling and meeting other stars, living in his homes and getting the occasional gift those were the perks.
Fans say that was wrong well if you were friends with Elvis and he offered you a chance to stay in his homes, traveling all over, meeting all these other famous people and getting the occasional gift as well as getting paid some money for doing jobs for Elvis you'd do the exact same thing they did you would accept.

[Unchained Melody]

I just finished reading the book Elvis Aaron Presley, by Alanaa Nash, And I can say I have a whole new perspective on Elvis, and all of those who were in the group and or with him. Some good, some bad, and alot of mixed feelings. I don't think we can say why didn't you help him, talking about the MM, because as I read, I imagined myself in that spot, being one of his guys, and trying to talk to him, and him get so mad he would fire you or put a gun to your nose. But then I see why he wanted them, and in the last year or so he didn't hardly want anyone around but Billy and Jo.

[Lyndon]

Yes, Vernon was abusive to her. You know people act like they want the truth and then when someone tells it, they are dirt. I'm just saying be careful what you ask for. And fans are hungry for every tid bit of truth about Elvis. While some think this stuff is crude, maybe so, but that is just the way it was and the way some of those people lived.
Are they supposed to be ashamed?? Are the supposed to hide it all? Are they supposed to pretend to be something they are not. Are they supposed to pretend Elvis and his family was something they were not.
This is the very thing that Cilla didn't like. She thought many of them were below her standards and class. It was what it was, not always a nice picture. But most of it is the truth. News flash, Elvis could be rude, crude, mean, and disgusting himself. Are you going to say it's a lie. He doesn't need anyone to protect him now. They protected him when he was alive, their job is over. They've been called every nasty name in the book. But they have no right to defend themselves by telling the truth? I disagree.

I agree indeed. Clever words from you, mam...

[Lyndon]

Outstanding post.

Indeed. Puts all the naive rubbish to the wall once and for all. A relief to read a post like this. More, more...

[MiMi]

Funny thing though, is the fact that they haven't shared many of the stories about themselves when they were rude, crude, mean and disgusting. No wonder Elvis was such a lonely guy - being the only rude and crude guy and living with a bunch of little angels. Their stories might be a little bit more believable if they would tell more of the crap that they did! I guess we'll get the truth out of them one by one as they die - they'll rat each other out for the almighty dollar!

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!! You know that is true!!!

[Junebug]

I don't really see the problem fans have with most of the Memphis mafia.

I think some fans confuse not liking the MM as people with finding them unreliable.
People may not like Lamar Fike and I feel he gives away too much personal information about Elvis sometimes but that doesn't mean what he says is untrue I think most of what he says is true.

A lot of fans don't like Red and Sonny West mainly because they wrote a tell all book about Elvis. I have found out that many of them that don't like Red and Sonny because of the book have never even bothered to read it they just assume it was malacious because they wrote it.
If you actually read EWH it's not as bad as a lot of other books that have been written about Elvis it's actually quite tame and a lot of the stories that originated in the book were subsequently put in other books.
Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books.
In the taped phone call conversation between Elvis and Red West he seems more concerned about the Joe Espsito racquetball fiasco.


A lot of fans say the Memphis mafia were there for what they could get i'm sure that's partially true to some extent.
Some of the guys befriended Elvis while they were High school and Elvis didn't give out much money but they probably enjoyed the lifestyle like traveling and meeting other stars, living in his homes and getting the occasional gift those were the perks.
Fans say that was wrong well if you were friends with Elvis and he offered you a chance to stay in his homes, traveling all over, meeting all these other famous people and getting the occasional gift as well as getting paid some money for doing jobs for Elvis you'd do the exact same thing they did you would accept.

I enjoyed reading your post.

For me, it is not about being reliable or telling what is true. It is what I see as a lack of manners and respect toward another. Yes, everyone has dirty laundry but I fail to see the point in airing it - especially on such a public basis, especially with a 'friend'.

The EWH book - Not everyone has the viewpoint you do on it. And while there is an attempt to temper it by comparing it to other later books, for some, the mere fact of its existence is enough to consider it 'bad'.

"Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books."

No - I don't find this statement to be a 'good point' at all. I do think though it is a great example of the MM's excuses, defenses, and dare I say....lunacy.

It's nice to know SWest was looking out for E here...:blink:!!! Even if it is was from SW's own book!!!! :blink::blink::blink:

Is SWest acknowledging he knew Elvis would not care for it???

What reasons or information did SWest have to believe Elvis would want to "speak out against it" rather than applaud it to begin with???

What "other books" did SWest know about at the time of EWH's writing/publication - Aug. 1977 - were to be published where
Elvis would not be able to respond to due to his passing???

???????????? :blink: :blink: :blink:

IMO, that statement says SWest knew exactly what was to be published in his book and how Elvis most probably would respond to its public dissemination.

Some could even consider SWest's statement as a 'smoking gun.'


I don't care what gifts the MM received..................


This is so not about gifts or jobs or travel...................

[MiMi]

You said it sister!!!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)


Why did they have to protect his reputation? They didn't! But, they darn sure didn't have to set out to destroy it either! I'm sorry but this is hitting very close to home right now and I may be venting a little too much. But, I tell you one darn thing - if anyone on this board were to try and say a THING about my best friend, Rosanne, I would come out fighting with everything I have. As her best friend, I would not set out to tell all of you what a horrible person and all her faults (IF SHE HAD ANY) to get attention or make a buck off her. That's what a "real" best friend does - you love them when they're here and you continue to love them when they're gone. If anyone thinks it's ok to dog a family member or a best friend just because they're gone - well then I guess I'm glad I'm not a member of your family or your best friend.

And, for the record, there were several of them that Rosanne and I DID NOT LIKE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THEM NOW.


AND SHE MEANS IT!!!!

[Brian]

I enjoyed reading your post.

For me, it is not about being reliable or telling what is true. It is what I see as a lack of manners and respect toward another. Yes, everyone has dirty laundry but I fail to see the point in airing it - especially on such a public basis, especially with a 'friend'.

The EWH book - Not everyone has the viewpoint you do on it. And while there is an attempt to temper it by comparing it to other later books, for some, the mere fact of its existence is enough to consider it 'bad'.

"Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books."

No - I don't find this statement to be a 'good point' at all. I do think though it is a great example of the MM's excuses, defenses, and dare I say....lunacy.

It's nice to know SWest was looking out for E here...:blink:!!! Even if it is was from SW's own book!!!! :blink::blink::blink:

Is SWest acknowledging he knew Elvis would not care for it???

What reasons or information did SWest have to believe Elvis would want to "speak out against it" rather than applaud it to begin with???

What "other books" did SWest know about at the time of EWH's writing/publication - Aug. 1977 - were to be published where
Elvis would not be able to respond to due to his passing???

???????????? :blink: :blink: :blink:

IMO, that statement says SWest knew exactly what was to be published in his book and how Elvis most probably would respond to its public dissemination.

Some could even consider SWest's statement as a 'smoking gun.'


I don't care what gifts the MM received..................


This is so not about gifts or jobs or travel...................

If you read EWH without comparing it to the later books written even then it's still not bad a book at all.

Sonny West comment is precisley on target if Elvis felt he needed to give his side of the story or spoken out against the book he could have unlike other books written about him after his death.
It's comon when someone comes out with a book with certain claims about someone for that individual to attempt to refute it even if what is said about that person is correct.
That is a completely valid Sonny was speaking o the many books written since his death like Esposito's books he was saying at least Elvis was alive and could try to tell his side of the story if he wanted.


What I said about the gifts and travel is accurate most people would accept them if they were in that position though many of them probably wouldn't admit it.

Your'e point about keeping things private like some of the things Lamar said in the Revelations book I agree with.

[hexia]

I don't know about the other two, but I lost everything for Red West when I first heard the taped phone conversation he had with Elvis in October of 76.
Before the conversation Red West tells that he taped the conversation, because "I knew that he would reveal in this conversation enough information that would substantiate what we said in the book."
During the conversation Elvis says that he's sorry, that maybe he lost sight of Red, he asks about Pat, he says if there's anything he can do, he admits that he acted abruptly without thinking.
Red just answers with yeahs and uh-huhs.
Then Red tells Elvis that he shouldn't be worried about the book, because "we're writing the good stuff, Elvis".

Red doesn't tell Elvis that he's taping the conversation, he doesn't accept Elvis' attempts to apologize and he lies to him about the content of the book.
Now that is NO friend to me.

[GIORGIA]

I don't know about the other two, but I lost everything for Red West when I first heard the taped phone conversation he had with Elvis in October of 76.
Before the conversation Red West tells that he taped the conversation, because "I knew that he would reveal in this conversation enough information that would substantiate what we said in the book."
During the conversation Elvis says that he's sorry, that maybe he lost sight of Red, he asks about Pat, he says if there's anything he can do, he admits that he acted abruptly without thinking.
Red just answers with yeahs and uh-huhs.
Then Red tells Elvis that he shouldn't be worried about the book, because "we're writing the good stuff, Elvis".

Red doesn't tell Elvis that he's taping the conversation, he doesn't accept Elvis' attempts to apologize and he lies to him about the content of the book.
Now that is NO friend to me.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU HEXIA!(y)
FOR ME YOU ARE PERFECTLY RIGHT!(y)

[TotallyInsane]

I enjoyed reading your post.

For me, it is not about being reliable or telling what is true. It is what I see as a lack of manners and respect toward another. Yes, everyone has dirty laundry but I fail to see the point in airing it - especially on such a public basis, especially with a 'friend'.

The EWH book - Not everyone has the viewpoint you do on it. And while there is an attempt to temper it by comparing it to other later books, for some, the mere fact of its existence is enough to consider it 'bad'.

"Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books."

No - I don't find this statement to be a 'good point' at all. I do think though it is a great example of the MM's excuses, defenses, and dare I say....lunacy.

It's nice to know SWest was looking out for E here...:blink:!!! Even if it is was from SW's own book!!!! :blink::blink::blink:

Is SWest acknowledging he knew Elvis would not care for it???

What reasons or information did SWest have to believe Elvis would want to "speak out against it" rather than applaud it to begin with???

What "other books" did SWest know about at the time of EWH's writing/publication - Aug. 1977 - were to be published where
Elvis would not be able to respond to due to his passing???

???????????? :blink: :blink: :blink:

IMO, that statement says SWest knew exactly what was to be published in his book and how Elvis most probably would respond to its public dissemination.

Some could even consider SWest's statement as a 'smoking gun.'


I don't care what gifts the MM received..................


This is so not about gifts or jobs or travel...................

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[GIORGIA]

I enjoyed reading your post.

For me, it is not about being reliable or telling what is true. It is what I see as a lack of manners and respect toward another. Yes, everyone has dirty laundry but I fail to see the point in airing it - especially on such a public basis, especially with a 'friend'.

The EWH book - Not everyone has the viewpoint you do on it. And while there is an attempt to temper it by comparing it to other later books, for some, the mere fact of its existence is enough to consider it 'bad'.

"Sonny West made a good point when he said EWH was written while Elvis was alive so that he could speak out against it unlike other books."

No - I don't find this statement to be a 'good point' at all. I do think though it is a great example of the MM's excuses, defenses, and dare I say....lunacy.

It's nice to know SWest was looking out for E here...:blink:!!! Even if it is was from SW's own book!!!! :blink::blink::blink:

Is SWest acknowledging he knew Elvis would not care for it???

What reasons or information did SWest have to believe Elvis would want to "speak out against it" rather than applaud it to begin with???

What "other books" did SWest know about at the time of EWH's writing/publication - Aug. 1977 - were to be published where
Elvis would not be able to respond to due to his passing???

???????????? :blink: :blink: :blink:

IMO, that statement says SWest knew exactly what was to be published in his book and how Elvis most probably would respond to its public dissemination.

Some could even consider SWest's statement as a 'smoking gun.'


I don't care what gifts the MM received..................


This is so not about gifts or jobs or travel...................
(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Junebug]

If you read EWH without comparing it to the later books written even then it's still not bad a book at all.

Sonny West comment is precisley on target if Elvis felt he needed to give his side of the story or spoken out against the book he could have unlike other books written about him after his death.
It's comon when someone comes out with a book with certain claims about someone for that individual to attempt to refute it even if what is said about that person is correct.
That is a completely valid Sonny was speaking o the many books written since his death like Esposito's books he was saying at least Elvis was alive and could try to tell his side of the story if he wanted.


What I said about the gifts and travel is accurate most people would accept them if they were in that position though many of them probably wouldn't admit it.

Your'e point about keeping things private like some of the things Lamar said in the Revelations book I agree with.

I respect your opinion but do not agree.

Many consider EWH to be 'bad' because of the people who provided the information and the type of information they chose to provide. It didn't matter if it was true or not.

Maybe I wasn't clear on my point about SWest's statement.

"That is a completely valid Sonny was speaking o the many books written since his death like Esposito's books he was saying at least Elvis was alive and could try to tell his side of the story if he wanted."

Do you honestly believe such b.s. and don't find any excuse in this???

Again -SWest trying to save face for his own action & behavior by citing information he had no knowledge of at the time of EWH - Aug. 77 - could even possibly come into existence.

Geez, what a favor SWest was doing for E!!!! :blink: :blink: :blink:

Again, nice to know SWest was looking after E's best interest there....:blink:!

The statement revolves around Elvis's actions only - not SWest's!

SWest even uses E's passing to hide behind!

Where is SWest's statement about himself - independent of what anyone before or after EWH has done???

Where is SWest's acknowledgement/statement that if EWH had not been in existence there would have been no need for a rebuttal - PERIOD????


Again, this is so not about the acceptance of any gifts.............not even close.

[kathy parkinson]

I don't know about the other two, but I lost everything for Red West when I first heard the taped phone conversation he had with Elvis in October of 76.
Before the conversation Red West tells that he taped the conversation, because "I knew that he would reveal in this conversation enough information that would substantiate what we said in the book."
During the conversation Elvis says that he's sorry, that maybe he lost sight of Red, he asks about Pat, he says if there's anything he can do, he admits that he acted abruptly without thinking.
Red just answers with yeahs and uh-huhs.
Then Red tells Elvis that he shouldn't be worried about the book, because "we're writing the good stuff, Elvis".

Red doesn't tell Elvis that he's taping the conversation, he doesn't accept Elvis' attempts to apologize and he lies to him about the content of the book.
Now that is NO friend to me. (y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[MissyM]

Those relationships were not normal or even healthy, by any sense of the word. That's a fact and each one in the group were there because Elvis wanted them there, weather good, bad or ugly it happened. He was a grown up man who could make his own choices for friends, not a child.
And they have said alot more nice things than negative about Elvis. But many people do not want to give them credit for that.
Elvis made mistakes he had to live with, they have made mistakes they do. But I for one would not want to have been in their places. I could not watch a person I cared for, or that I didn't always have a great relationship with slowly kill themselves with drugs. Could any of you.
I'm sure there was some bitterness left after Elvis died and the words that could have been left unsaid, might be part of that. So what, so what. It is perfectly natural in some difficult relationships.
I honestly think Elvis would judge them a whole lot different than some people. In general he was very accepting of people's flaw because he knew he had them himself. And he was very forgiving as well. And humble too. Those are some of his great points.
He didn't pretend to be something he wasn't. Neither have his friends.

[Unchained Melody]

Those relationships were not normal or even healthy, by any sense of the word. That's a fact and each one in the group were there because Elvis wanted them there, weather good, bad or ugly it happened. He was a grown up man who could make his own choices for friends, not a child.
And they have said alot more nice things than negative about Elvis. But many people do not want to give them credit for that.
Elvis made mistakes he had to live with, they have made mistakes they do. But I for one would not want to have been in their places. I could not watch a person I cared for, or that I didn't always have a great relationship with slowly kill themselves with drugs. Could any of you.
I'm sure there was some bitterness left after Elvis died and the words that could have been left unsaid, might be part of that. So what, so what. It is perfectly natural in some difficult relationships.
I honestly think Elvis would judge them a whole lot different than some people. In general he was very accepting of people's flaw because he knew he had them himself. And he was very forgiving as well. And humble too. Those are some of his great points.
He didn't pretend to be something he wasn't. Neither have his friends.

I stand 100% in agreement with you here.

The highlighted part really strikes home.

[Brian]

I respect your opinion but do not agree.

Many consider EWH to be 'bad' because of the people who provided the information and the type of information they chose to provide. It didn't matter if it was true or not.

Maybe I wasn't clear on my point about SWest's statement.

"That is a completely valid Sonny was speaking o the many books written since his death like Esposito's books he was saying at least Elvis was alive and could try to tell his side of the story if he wanted."

Do you honestly believe such b.s. and don't find any excuse in this???

Again -SWest trying to save face for his own action & behavior by citing information he had no knowledge of at the time of EWH - Aug. 77 - could even possibly come into existence.

Geez, what a favor SWest was doing for E!!!! :blink: :blink: :blink:

Again, nice to know SWest was looking after E's best interest there....:blink:!

The statement revolves around Elvis's actions only - not SWest's!

SWest even uses E's passing to hide behind!

Where is SWest's statement about himself - independent of what anyone before or after EWH has done???

Where is SWest's acknowledgement/statement that if EWH had not been in existence there would have been no need for a rebuttal - PERIOD????


Again, this is so not about the acceptance of any gifts.............not even close.

Yes, I do fans need to get over EWH it wasn't that bad

He said this statement in his interview with the Elvis Information network
The statement wasn't B.S. it was spot on.
It was just a true statement
Who cares if the book had not been written there wouldn't be need for a rebuttal that wasn't his point.
there wasn't anything in the book for Elvis to truthful refute any way because it was all factual that's why he was worried about it.
About the gifts I wasn't talking specifically about you but fans and people in general
getting gifts is one of the things the MM get criticized for by fans so I responded to that.

[sasha]

IMO, it's not just about the book, EWH. That was pretty tame, to todays standards.
It's all the things they've said after 8/16//77. And they just keep going on and on. One would think they'd finally get it !!

Over 30 years later and they still won't shut their mouths.
They don't want anyone to forget they were the MM.
Important to no one but themselves.

I go along with Lisa. Leave him his dignity .
But, they'd have to know what the word means. Appears they don't.

I've had this old conversation before. Some get it, some don't.

[franny]

Whether someone considers EWH bad or not, the timing of the book was not the greatest...Elvis was not in good health and according to Joe Esposito in (Elvis Straight Up), here's what Joe had to say:

Well, I'll tell you "what happened". As Elvis poured over the pages, reading the salacious things he could ever imagine anyone saying about him, he became ashen. He was devastated. He was convinced this book would destroy his whole life. And in a way, I really believe it did. The book did not literally kill Elvis of course, but it's arrival came at a point in his life when its impact was greater than his damaged spirit could bear.

There's a lot more that Joe said about it, but it's too long to post...

franny

[Pacerstar]

Yes, I do fans need to get over EWH it wasn't that bad

He said this statement in his interview with the Elvis Information network
The statement wasn't B.S. it was spot on.
It was just a true statement
Who cares if the book had not been written there wouldn't be need for a rebuttal that wasn't his point.
there wasn't anything in the book for Elvis to truthful refute any way because it was all factual that's why he was worried about it.
About the gifts I wasn't talking specifically about you but fans and people in general
getting gifts is one of the things the MM get criticized for by fans so I responded to that.

And we know it is all factual, HOW? Because they say it is?

[TotallyInsane]

IMO, it's not just about the book, EWH. That was pretty tame, to todays standards.
It's all the things they've said after 8/16//77. And they just keep going on and on. One would think they'd finally get it !!

Over 30 years later and they still won't shut their mouths.
They don't want anyone to forget they were the MM.
Important to no one but themselves.

I go along with Lisa. Leave him his dignity .
But, they'd have to know what the word means. Appears they don't.

I've had this old conversation before. Some get it, some don't.

I get it!! (y)(y)(y)(y)

[franny]

Im one of those who still watch Hee Haw.They broadcast it on the RFD network on DirectTv.It's worth watching for two reasons.One is great music.The other is the Hee Haw Honeys.

Sorry, this made me laugh! :lol: :lol:

franny

[Brian]

And we know it is all factual, HOW? Because they say it is?

Because I say it's factual

[TotallyInsane]

Because I say it's factual


Well, I say it's not "all" factual.

[Brian]

Well, I say it's not "all" factual.

Give me an example of something not factual in that book.

[Brian]

IMO, it's not just about the book, EWH. That was pretty tame, to todays standards.
It's all the things they've said after 8/16//77. And they just keep going on and on. One would think they'd finally get it !!

Over 30 years later and they still won't shut their mouths.
They don't want anyone to forget they were the MM.
Important to no one but themselves.

I go along with Lisa. Leave him his dignity .
But, they'd have to know what the word means. Appears they don't.

I've had this old conversation before. Some get it, some don't.

I get your point Sasha

But consider this The Memphis Mafia members keep talking because there is a market for it they get invited to speak at fan clubs and appear at Elvis related events throughout the world.
They also get asked to appear on documentaries and t.v. shows to talk about Elvis all the time and when one of them comes out with a book they seem to have no trouble finding a publisher.
So if the MM would stop being invited on programs by t.v. producers and getting invited to speak at Fan Clubs by the fan club presidents they would fade from view but there are people that like to hear what they have to say

[Unchained Melody]

Well, we all have our opinions on the Memphis Mafia. I've read a few books now, still got a few to go, including EWH, by you know who. I can say that I actually like to hear what Lamar, Marty, and Billy have to say then listening to someone like GK or Jerry Schilling. Simply because imo those two and I will include "diamond joe" in that always made themselves seem bigger in Elvis' life, like they were the closest to Elvis which was a bit from the truth, especially GK. It is really irritating when you read and find out Elvis happened to see him on rare occasions, but when you listen to him, you think he'd be with Elvis everyday. I guess every since Elvis died, everyone wants to claim he was Elvis' #1 guy...oh well...

[TotallyInsane]

Give me an example of something not factual in that book.

Charms a beautiful young fan into joining him - on a drug binge for two that nearly kills her.

I know a person that was there and this was not the way it was. Stretched the truth and twisted til it sounded as bad as they could make it.

[Unchained Melody]

Charms a beautiful young fan into joining him - on a drug binge for two that nearly kills her.

I know a person that was there and this was not the way it was. Stretched the truth and twisted til it sounded as bad as they could make it.

I like books by Alanna Nash, Elvis And The Memphis Mafia, but I agree, A little to much twisting the truth there...

[TotallyInsane]

I get your point Sasha

But consider this The Memphis Mafia members keep talking because there is a market for it they get invited to speak at fan clubs and appear at Elvis related events throughout the world.
They also get asked to appear on documentaries and t.v. shows to talk about Elvis all the time and when one of them comes out with a book they seem to have no trouble finding a publisher.
So if the MM would stop being invited on programs by t.v. producers and getting invited to speak at Fan Clubs by the fan club presidents they would fade from view but there are people that like to hear what they have to say

I don't know how old you are but this hasn't always been the case. For many, many years they were not invited to anything. Right after Elvis died, Billy Smith, Charlie Hodge, Joe Esposito, Al Strada, Jerry Schilling, to name a few, were very much involved but not these 3. They did not show up in Memphis for Elvis week because they knew they were not wanted.

[Unchained Melody]

I don't know how old you are but this hasn't always been the case. For many, many years they were not invited to anything. Right after Elvis died, Billy Smith, Charlie Hodge, Joe Esposito, Al Strada, Jerry Schilling, to name a few, were very much involved but not these 3. They did not show up in Memphis for Elvis week because they knew they were not wanted.

Lamar pretty much got outcast by the estate when he wrote that book with Albert Goldman. And Priscilla always had something strong against Marty...

[Brian]

I don't know how old you are but this hasn't always been the case. For many, many years they were not invited to anything. Right after Elvis died, Billy Smith, Charlie Hodge, Joe Esposito, Al Strada, Jerry Schilling, to name a few, were very much involved but not these 3. They did not show up in Memphis for Elvis week because they knew they were not wanted.

I am old but my age isn't all that important I feel young.

Anyway I am talking about other events not the one's in Memphis
I wouldn't expect most of the MM to be at Elvis week because of EPE and Priscilla

In recent years say 10-15 years ago or so and into the present Red and Sonny West have appeared at fan club events in Denmark, Holland, England and Australia and after Elvis died i'd see one of them pop up on t.v. and they give interviews for Elvis websites once in a while.
Marty Lacker and Lamar give interviews to websites once in a while.
my point is to appear at such events or give interviews someone has to ask them.

[Pacerstar]

Because I say it's factual


And you know it is factual, HOW?:D:D

[Unchained Melody]

I wouldn't expect most of the MM to be at Elvis week because of EPE and Priscilla

I think thats a safe bet.

[TotallyInsane]

I wouldn't expect most of the MM to be at Elvis week because of EPE and Priscilla

What's the word I'm looking for here, oh yeah, DUH!!!!!!!!!!!

[kathy parkinson]

I wouldn't expect most of the MM to be at Elvis week because of EPE and Priscilla

What's the word I'm looking for here, oh yeah, DUH!!!!!!!!!!! :lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:: lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[Brian]

And you know it is factual, HOW?:D:D

Because whether it's factual or not isn't the issue really other books have the same stories in them it is sensationalied somewhat by Steve Dunleavy's writing but still factual.

Fans just need to get over EWH it wasn't that bad and didn't do any damage to Elvis career unlike some others.

[Unchained Melody]

Because whether it's factual or not isn't the issue really other books have the same stories in them it is sensationalied somewhat by Steve Dunleavy's writing but still factual.

Fans just need to get over EWH it wasn't that bad and didn't do any damage to Elvis career unlike some others.

I agree its time to let it go, but that still make it O K they wrote it to begin with.

[Brian]

I agree its time to let it go, but that still make it O K they wrote it to begin with.

Yes to me it was

They wrote it for 2 reasons to try and get Elvis to see what he was doing to himself with the drugs and for the money.

Elvis fired them after 16 years of service but did not let them go himself he had his father do it and wouldn't even talk to them about it.

People write books primarily for the money all the time so this is no surprise.

I think the book would've done no good regarding Elvis drug abuse even if he had continued living and the fans wouldn't care.
I think the book became a little bit of a bigger issue because Elvis died a week after it's release and this was the first book to tell about his drug abuse.

[Junebug]

Funny thing though, is the fact that they haven't shared many of the stories about themselves when they were rude, crude, mean and disgusting. No wonder Elvis was such a lonely guy - being the only rude and crude guy and living with a bunch of little angels. Their stories might be a little bit more believable if they would tell more of the crap that they did! I guess we'll get the truth out of them one by one as they die - they'll rat each other out for the almighty dollar!


(y) (y) (y)

Halo....Halo.....

.....can't wait until Lizard Tongue writes her book!!!

[Merry]

Elvis fired them after 16 years of service but did not let them go himself he had his father do it and wouldn't even talk to them about it.



.


A comment from someone who was friend's with Elvis:
"That was Vernon's job, he always took care of that, besides, they also knew they'd be hired back. That was how it worked."

Anyway, that's my :peace: on this subject.

[Brian]

A comment from someone who was friend's with Elvis:
"That was Vernon's job, he always took care of that, besides, they also knew they'd be hired back. That was how it worked."

Anyway, that's my :peace: on this subject.

I think Elvis should've fired them himself.

They worked for him for 16 years not Vernon

[Junebug]

Yes to me it was

Elvis fired them after 16 years of service but did not let them go himself he had his father do it and wouldn't even talk to them about it.




Fans need to get over the fact that Vernon fired these guys instead of Elvis.
It's no big deal - it wasn't that 'bad'.

[Brian]

Fans need to get over the fact that Vernon fired these guys instead of Elvis.
It's no big deal - it wasn't that 'bad'.

Junebug,



Watch it with the attitude

[Junebug]

Junebug,



Watch it with the attitude


Brian -

If you have a problem, you need to take it to a moderator.

[Brian]

Brian -

If you have a problem, you need to take it to a moderator.

I don't run to the moderator everytime I have a problem.

[presley31]

Why did they have to protect his reputation? They didn't! But, they darn sure didn't have to set out to destroy it either! I'm sorry but this is hitting very close to home right now and I may be venting a little too much. But, I tell you one darn thing - if anyone on this board were to try and say a THING about my best friend, Rosanne, I would come out fighting with everything I have. As her best friend, I would not set out to tell all of you what a horrible person and all her faults (IF SHE HAD ANY) to get attention or make a buck off her. That's what a "real" best friend does - you love them when they're here and you continue to love them when they're gone. If anyone thinks it's ok to dog a family member or a best friend just because they're gone - well then I guess I'm glad I'm not a member of your family or your best friend.

And, for the record, there were several of them that Rosanne and I DID NOT LIKE WHEN HE WAS ALIVE AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T LIKE THEM NOW.

Great post Gail..(y)(y)(y)(y)

[kathy parkinson]

Is all this relevant after nearly 32 since Elvis passed? Isn't the legacy of his music enough?

[debtdbruno]

Well said Kathy!!!!! It ought to be

[Pacerstar]

Because whether it's factual or not isn't the issue really other books have the same stories in them it is sensationalied somewhat by Steve Dunleavy's writing but still factual.

Fans just need to get over EWH it wasn't that bad and didn't do any damage to Elvis career unlike some others.

"other books have the same stories" Well, you know when a marble starts
rolling, it just picks up speed. If one book sells well, then it is likely that
others would use the same anecdotes, don't you think?:blink::blink::blink:

[Pacerstar]

Yes to me it was

They wrote it for 2 reasons to try and get Elvis to see what he was doing to himself with the drugs and for the money.

Elvis fired them after 16 years of service but did not let them go himself he had his father do it and wouldn't even talk to them about it.

People write books primarily for the money all the time so this is no surprise.

I think the book would've done no good regarding Elvis drug abuse even if he had continued living and the fans wouldn't care.
I think the book became a little bit of a bigger issue because Elvis died a week after it's release and this was the first book to tell about his drug abuse.

Hey, I've got a big bridge in NY City I'd sell you!:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:Really, I believe they wrote it for money
and revenge. They didn't write it until they were fired.:D:D:D

[TotallyInsane]

Hey, I've got a big bridge in NY City I'd sell you!:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:Really, I believe they wrote it for money
and revenge. They didn't write it until they were fired.:D:D:D


(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[TotallyInsane]

I don't run to the moderator everytime I have a problem.

So, what do you do if you don't take it to a moderator?

[Brian]

So, what do you do if you don't take it to a moderator?

Deal with it myself

[rocknroll]

Deal with it myself

Do you have problems with everyone? Really ruins interesting threads.

[Brian]

Do you have problems with everyone? Really ruins interesting threads.

Huh

I dont ruin threads

other people do

Just like you just did with false accusations

[rocknroll]

Huh

I dont ruin threads

other people do

Just like you just did with false accusations

Right .;)

[TotallyInsane]

Deal with it myself


So, what is it exactly you do to people that tick you off?

[SweetCaroline]

"Did anyone hate them when they were with Elvis?" I didn't hate them; but
there were some of them that I did not like even then."Why do they have
to protect his reputation now?" I, for one, have not said that they have to
protect his reputation. I said, they should have protected his privacy, as he
did. Also, have you heard of one thing bad that Elvis had to say about any
one of them? I have not! If they have been hurt by things that people have
said, it is my opinion, they put themselves in that position. I don't believe that
anything that is said about Elvis will hurt him now; but, he left family, friends
and fans behind that these things were hurtful to. And imagine the hurt
his little daughter must have felt when she read this crap! No, we don't know
how Elvis felt about the things they have said against him; but it has been
said that he forgave some of them before he passed away. That, in my opinion, speaks volumes about the kind of man Elvis was. And yes, 20/20
hindsight does make things seem more clear as time passes; but, these guys
were accepted into Elvis' world as friends by him and it is my feeling that
they should have honored that position during his life and after his death.
There is an old saying, "keep your friends close and your enemies even closer"
Don't bother to protect me from my enemies; just protect me from my
friends! I don't think Elvis' reputation needs protection from anyone. I also
don't think true friends would set out to drag a friend through the mud for
profit or revenge either.:blink::blink::blink::blink::blink::blink:



(y)(y)(y) Good post!!!!

[Brian]

So, what is it exactly you do to people that tick you off?

It is people who start things with me not the other way around.

That ticks me off

[Brian]

"other books have the same stories" Well, you know when a marble starts
rolling, it just picks up speed. If one book sells well, then it is likely that
others would use the same anecdotes, don't you think?:blink::blink::blink:



No, I don't think so

[Brian]

Hey, I've got a big bridge in NY City I'd sell you!:Really, I believe they wrote it for money
and revenge. They didn't write it until they were fired.:

I know when they wrote it

they've admitted to writing it partially for the money. they don't deny it

That's what i'm telling you

Honestly the disdain fans have for Goldman's book or Priscilla's book or the Stanley's books I can understand but EWH wasn't nearly as bad as those books were.
Priscilla and Albert Goldman's book damaged Elvis far more than EWH did.

[Merry]

I know when they wrote it

they've admitted to writing it partially for the money. they don't deny it

That's what i'm telling you

Honestly the disdain fans have for Goldman's book or Priscilla's book or the Stanley's books I can understand but EWH wasn't nearly as bad as those books were.
Priscilla and Albert Goldman's book damaged Elvis far more than EWH did.


Hi Brian,

Aren't a lot of the books referenced back to "EWH"?

[Brian]

Hi Brian,

Aren't a lot of the books referenced back to "EWH"?


Yes, some are

[Merry]

Yes, some are


I think, Goldman's and perhaps the Stanleys? (I wonder how many books the Stanley's sold, probably not many, lol). I don't know?

I also agree, it was a looooong time agoooo.

[SweetCaroline]

I think, Goldman's and perhaps the Stanleys? (I wonder how many books the Stanley's sold, probably not many, lol). I don't know?

I also agree, it was a looooong time agoooo.

Doesn't matter how long ago it was.
If you burn someone I loved and that matters to me ...I don't get over it.

[Pacerstar]

I know when they wrote it

they've admitted to writing it partially for the money. they don't deny it

That's what i'm telling you

Honestly the disdain fans have for Goldman's book or Priscilla's book or the Stanley's books I can understand but EWH wasn't nearly as bad as those books were.
Priscilla and Albert Goldman's book damaged Elvis far more than EWH did.

You know, Brian, I didn't like Priscilla's book nor Goldman's. I put the Stanleys
in the same category that I place the MM. Goldman was not a friend or
family to Elvis; so, I think everyone knows his motive in his book. What I can't
accept with the others and I am including Priscilla and the other members
of the MM that have written tell-all books, is that they were people that
Elvis loved and trusted with his day to day existence. And they betrayed him,
in my opinion, for whatever reasons. That is my problem with them. Not that
what they told is true or untrue; but, that it was Elvis' private life and they
should have respected that, especially if they want to maintain that they
were his friends and loved him. That is my opinion. I realize not everyone
shares my opinion. And I can live with that. I know that this is a topic that
we can discuss from now on and it is most likely, we will never change
anyone's opinions. I guess the best we can hope for is to agree to disagree
and be friends on this group. OK?:D:D:D:D:D

[TotallyInsane]

You know, Brian, I didn't like Priscilla's book nor Goldman's. I put the Stanleys
in the same category that I place the MM. Goldman was not a friend or
family to Elvis; so, I think everyone knows his motive in his book. What I can't
accept with the others and I am including Priscilla and the other members
of the MM that have written tell-all books, is that they were people that
Elvis loved and trusted with his day to day existence. And they betrayed him,
in my opinion, for whatever reasons. That is my problem with them. Not that
what they told is true or untrue; but, that it was Elvis' private life and they
should have respected that, especially if they want to maintain that they
were his friends and loved him. That is my opinion. I realize not everyone
shares my opinion. And I can live with that. I know that this is a topic that
we can discuss from now on and it is most likely, we will never change
anyone's opinions. I guess the best we can hope for is to agree to disagree
and be friends on this group. OK?:D:D:D:D:D

Great post and I agree to agree with you on this one!!

[May]

Me too. I agree to agree with you both!

[GIORGIA]

You know, Brian, I didn't like Priscilla's book nor Goldman's. I put the Stanleys
in the same category that I place the MM. Goldman was not a friend or
family to Elvis; so, I think everyone knows his motive in his book. What I can't
accept with the others and I am including Priscilla and the other members
of the MM that have written tell-all books, is that they were people that
Elvis loved and trusted with his day to day existence. And they betrayed him,
in my opinion, for whatever reasons. That is my problem with them. Not that
what they told is true or untrue; but, that it was Elvis' private life and they
should have respected that, especially if they want to maintain that they
were his friends and loved him. That is my opinion. I realize not everyone
shares my opinion. And I can live with that. I know that this is a topic that
we can discuss from now on and it is most likely, we will never change
anyone's opinions. I guess the best we can hope for is to agree to disagree
and be friends on this group. OK?:D:D:D:D:D
I totally agree with you!

[Tommy]

I lived though all of Elvis life stories from when he came on the scene as a young man, a lot of these books are just to make money.

[debtdbruno]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

[Tommy]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

This is true. (y)

[john carpenter]

Sometimes there are simple reasons why certain situations happened. Some not so righteous, but still the truth is what helps gain understanding.
I'm sure there are skeletons in every family, some just are able to hide them better.
I'll say one thing though, no matter what people know, there were/are some very wonderful, funny, generous, southernly kind people in his family, just as he was.
So True Missy(y)The M.M. guys might have took advantage of Elvis at times, Imo, Elvis needed them and they took care of Elvis. And in this video i can tell their tears were genuine. I know most of you disagree. You have to realize Elvis knew Red in high School, and he protected Elvis from that day until 1977. Friends come & go....The bodyguard book was a bad idea...but we need to get past it guys.

[Diane]

You know, Brian, I didn't like Priscilla's book nor Goldman's. I put the Stanleys
in the same category that I place the MM. Goldman was not a friend or
family to Elvis; so, I think everyone knows his motive in his book. What I can't
accept with the others and I am including Priscilla and the other members
of the MM that have written tell-all books, is that they were people that
Elvis loved and trusted with his day to day existence. And they betrayed him,
in my opinion, for whatever reasons. That is my problem with them. Not that
what they told is true or untrue; but, that it was Elvis' private life and they
should have respected that, especially if they want to maintain that they
were his friends and loved him. That is my opinion. I realize not everyone
shares my opinion. And I can live with that. I know that this is a topic that
we can discuss from now on and it is most likely, we will never change
anyone's opinions. I guess the best we can hope for is to agree to disagree
and be friends on this group. OK?:D:D:D:D:D

I totally agree with every word...fantastic post!

Diane

[GIORGIA]

I lived though all of Elvis life stories from when he came on the scene as a young man, a lot of these books are just to make money.
Yes!Is true!

[GIORGIA]

Sometimes there are simple reasons why certain situations happened. Some not so righteous, but still the truth is what helps gain understanding.
I'm sure there are skeletons in every family, some just are able to hide them better.
I'll say one thing though, no matter what people know, there were/are some very wonderful, funny, generous, southernly kind people in his family, just as he was.
I agree with you Missy.

[elvislady]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

spot on deb!

elvislady(y)

[Tony Trout]

I know when they wrote it

they've admitted to writing it partially for the money. they don't deny it

That's what i'm telling you

Honestly the disdain fans have for Goldman's book or Priscilla's book or the Stanley's books I can understand but EWH wasn't nearly as bad as those books were.
Priscilla and Albert Goldman's book damaged Elvis far more than EWH did.


I can understand Goldman's book being "damaging" to Elvis (and also "EWH") but I don't see where you're coming from when you say that Priscilla's book was 'damaging' to Elvis. Frankly, I find the book boring because she left out a lot of very important events and, to me, the book was more about her than it was him.


Hi Brian,

Aren't a lot of the books referenced back to "EWH"?


Yes, some are


Priscilla's book wasn't.





let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If nobody bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb


This is true. (y)


Lamar Fike says in "Revelations From The Memphis Mafia" that he actually blames the fans for alot of things during the final years of Elvis's life - mainly the accusation of the fans accepting Elvis's huge weight gain . He makes a quote (I think) similar to the following when describing Elvis trying on a new suit for the upcoming August '77 tour:

"If that **** metal starts flying off your outfit, you're going to kill the first five rows from shrapnel!".

He says after that comment, Elvis nearly laughed himself into a spasm....which is sad.....

[Unchained Melody]

So True Missy(y)The M.M. guys might have took advantage of Elvis at times, Imo, Elvis needed them and they took care of Elvis. And in this video i can tell their tears were genuine. I know most of you disagree. You have to realize Elvis knew Red in high School, and he protected Elvis from that day until 1977. Friends come & go....The bodyguard book was a bad idea...but we need to get past it guys.
Agreed John.

[Pacerstar]

Great post and I agree to agree with you on this one!!

Thank you.(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Pacerstar]

Me too. I agree to agree with you both!

Thank you, May.(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Pacerstar]

I totally agree with you!

Thank you, Giorgia.(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Pacerstar]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

I agree with that. And I feel that we, as fans, also have to take some blame
for the stress and all on Elvis, too. We wanted so much from him and so
much of him. And I have heard that when people would suggest that he
slow down or consider retiring from touring, etc., he would say that he
couldn't, there were too many people depending on him. And for all our loving
him, we were a small part of the problem in that way. :D:D:D:D:D:D

[Pacerstar]

I totally agree with every word...fantastic post!

Diane

Thank you, Dianne.(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Diane]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

You couldn't be more right!(y)(y)(y)

Diane

[Brian]

let's look at it another way.........don't we as fans have to take some blame for this?
We are the ones who demand to know all there is to know about our idol, how he ticked, what he said, where he went, etc, etc......
If noboby bought the books or asked them to talk at events then they wouldn't have an audience to tell the warts and all stories
Deb

I said that very thing a couple of pages ago.

Nobody seemed to agree with me when I said it.

[Diane]

I said that very thing a couple of pages ago.

Nobody seemed to agree with me when I said it.

I said it a couple of years ago and got the cold shoulder too.:)

Diane

[Brian]

I can understand Goldman's book being "damaging" to Elvis (and also "EWH") but I don't see where you're coming from when you say that Priscilla's book was 'damaging' to Elvis. Frankly, I find the book boring because she left out a lot of very important events and, to me, the book was more about her than it was him.






Priscilla's book wasn't.









Lamar Fike says in "Revelations From The Memphis Mafia" that he actually blames the fans for alot of things during the final years of Elvis's life - mainly the accusation of the fans accepting Elvis's huge weight gain . He makes a quote (I think) similar to the following when describing Elvis trying on a new suit for the upcoming August '77 tour:

"If that **** metal starts flying off your outfit, you're going to kill the first five rows from shrapnel!".

He says after that comment, Elvis nearly laughed himself into a spasm....which is sad.....


The private stuff between her and Elvis

I don't believe the whole madonna mother thing between her and Elvis but it made him look weird.
it was basically an ex-wife trashing her ex-husband book no matter what she says.
The way she words it in her book it's implied Elvis raped her I would've left that out of the book because Lisa Marie read the book.
The t.v. movie Elvis and Me was based on the book and that did his image no good it even included the rape scene and they got that straight out of her book.
Elvis is basically portrayed as a self centered jerk in her book.

I agree with Lamar Fike on the weight gain.

[Brian]

I said it a couple of years ago and got the cold shoulder too.:)

Diane

That's just sad.

[Pacerstar]

I can understand Goldman's book being "damaging" to Elvis (and also "EWH") but I don't see where you're coming from when you say that Priscilla's book was 'damaging' to Elvis. Frankly, I find the book boring because she left out a lot of very important events and, to me, the book was more about her than it was him.






Priscilla's book wasn't.









Lamar Fike says in "Revelations From The Memphis Mafia" that he actually blames the fans for alot of things during the final years of Elvis's life - mainly the accusation of the fans accepting Elvis's huge weight gain . He makes a quote (I think) similar to the following when describing Elvis trying on a new suit for the upcoming August '77 tour:

"If that **** metal starts flying off your outfit, you're going to kill the first five rows from shrapnel!".

He says after that comment, Elvis nearly laughed himself into a spasm....which is sad.....

What were we to do? Were we to boycott Elvis because he gained weight?
If his gaining weight were the only problem here, I'd see no real problem.
Having been a "fat" person most of my life, I know how easy it is to be fat and
how difficult it is to lose fat once you have gained it. As far as looks, Elvis still
looked very good to me, extra pounds and all. But, what is a problem is
always the effect weight has on the health. Now, I'm not goin to try to tell anyone that Elvis looked in 1977 as good as he did in 1969-1972; but, he
was still a good-looking guy! And, should Lamar Fike be making "fat comments"
about anyone!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Brian]

What were we to do? Were we to boycott Elvis because he gained weight?
If his gaining weight were the only problem here, I'd see no real problem.
Having been a "fat" person most of my life, I know how easy it is to be fat and
how difficult it is to lose fat once you have gained it. As far as looks, Elvis still
looked very good to me, extra pounds and all. But, what is a problem is
always the effect weight has on the health. Now, I'm not goin to try to tell anyone that Elvis looked in 1977 as good as he did in 1969-1972; but, he
was still a good-looking guy! And, should Lamar Fike be making "fat comments"
about anyone!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

Lamar Fike has said that if the fans would've walked out on Elvis when he got fat he would've shaped up.

Lamar Fike is saying fans shouldn't have kept coming to the shows when he was fat and out of shape and had they done that Elvis would've lived longer.

[Pacerstar]

Lamar Fike has said that if the fans would've walked out on Elvis when he got fat he would've shaped up.

Lamar Fike is saying fans shouldn't have kept coming to the shows when he was fat and out of shape and had they done that Elvis would've lived longer.

That might have worked as Lamar says; but, we can't be sure of that.:D:D:D

[Unchained Melody]

Lamar Fike has said that if the fans would've walked out on Elvis when he got fat he would've shaped up.

Lamar Fike is saying fans shouldn't have kept coming to the shows when he was fat and out of shape and had they done that Elvis would've lived longer.

The fans did it because they loved Elvis despite what he looked like, they loved him for him, the person he was, not the image, just as we here do today, for the person he was (y)(y)(y)

[buttonhead]

The fans did it because they loved Elvis despite what he looked like, they loved him for him, the person he was, not the image, just as we here do today, for the person he was (y)(y)(y)


Yes 3 times :)

I am what you call 3rd generation of elvis fan... I never met him neither see him .. he is gone a year before i was born..yet i love him unconditionally.. no matter what media back in the 70s said about elvis 40 and fat..blah blah blah.. the man has flaws and i accepted it and I REALLY like his music.. if we all accept each other flaws and like that person for a long run.. that is a lifetime of a good relationship..

[Unchained Melody]

Yes 3 times :)

I am what you call 3rd generation of elvis fan... I never met him neither see him .. he is gone a year before i was born..yet i love him unconditionally.. no matter what media back in the 70s said about elvis 40 and fat..blah blah blah.. the man has flaws and i accepted it and I REALLY like his music.. if we all accept each other flaws and like that person for a long run.. that is a lifetime of a good relationship..
(y)(y)(y):notworthy

[Brian]

That might have worked as Lamar says; but, we can't be sure of that.:D:D:D

Lamar Fike knew Elvis real well he was saying that's what he would of done

Lamar calls it one of the greatest tragedies of Elvis life.

[Brian]

The fans did it because they loved Elvis despite what he looked like, they loved him for him, the person he was, not the image, just as we here do today, for the person he was (y)(y)(y)

right and Lamar says the fans shouldn't have done that.
They should've just walked out in mass during the bad shows and the overweight Elvis

[presley31]

right and Lamar says the fans shouldn't have done that.
They should've just walked out in mass during the bad shows and the overweight Elvis

That just goes to show you how loyal Lamer was about elvis (n) Shame that he couldn't accept his friend the way he was like true Friends do:doh:

[TotallyInsane]

Wonder if Lamar's wife walked out on him when he got fat!!!

[Brian]

That just goes to show you how loyal Lamer was about elvis (n) Shame that he couldn't accept his friend the way he was like true Friends do:doh:

That's not what Lamar meant

[buttonhead]

Wonder if Lamar's wife walked out on him when he got fat!!!


i thought he always has been fat... :)

:lol:

[TotallyInsane]

i thought he always has been fat... :)

:lol:

Oh yeah, you're right, and ugly too!!

[buttonhead]

Oh yeah, you're right, and ugly too!!


:lmfao::lmfao: watch - out.. Fike Patrol :P..

[midnight]

Oh yeah, you're right, and ugly too!!

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[midnight]

:lmfao::lmfao: watch - out.. Fike Patrol :P..

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[TotallyInsane]

:lmfao::lmfao: watch - out.. Fike Patrol :P..

:lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao::lmfao:

[Teddy]

What's the latest about Lamar's book and movie?
Are there any release schedules yet, and is it really going to be called "Fike Off"? :hmm:

[May]

What's the latest about Lamar's book and movie?
Are there any release schedules yet, and is it really going to be called "Fike Off"? :hmm:

Well done Teddy, you cheered me up on a particular bad work day with that comment(y)

I saw Lamar on a programme last night. The one with Frank Skinner called "A Little Bit of Elvis". Frank had got hold of an Elvis shirt and was trying to find out if it was authentic. When he spoke to Lamar and he told Frank it was, he then said "who's going to argue with me?"

That way of "thinking" kind of says a lot about the MM. They can say what they like and then say that exact comment!(n)

[john carpenter]

Oh yeah, you're right, and ugly too!!
:lmfao::lmfao:I LOL on that one gail!:lmfao:

[buttonhead]

"Fike Off"? :hmm:


you steal that line from me :lol::lol::lol:


(y) thats a good one though.... :lol:

[Diane]

The fact that Elvis gained weight never bothered me in the least...at lot of people do after a certain age. What worried me in 1976 and 1977 was the fact that he was so bloated and looked very ill. To me he looked like a dying man and I was sure he wouldn't be around very long.

Diane

[buttonhead]

The fact that Elvis gained weight never bothered me in the least...at lot of people do after a certain age. What worried me in 1976 and 1977 was the fact that he was so bloated and looked very ill. To me he looked like a dying man and I was sure he wouldn't be around very long.

Diane


Agree... it was eerie to see him looking that way, it was not fat it was bloated , i imagine Elvis was probably in a great deal of pain:'( I wish i could have told him to go home, get some rest for like a year or 2 , think about himself first , but .. i think he gave too much to his fans and ask not much in return...:king: thats why he lives forever.

[debtdbruno]

The fact that Elvis gained weight never bothered me in the least...at lot of people do after a certain age. What worried me in 1976 and 1977 was the fact that he was so bloated and looked very ill. To me he looked like a dying man and I was sure he wouldn't be around very long.

Diane


That's the difference isn't it? Nobody would expect him to look a God forever more, not if we truly loved him. He was human and entitled to gain weight without being slaughtered for it. The problem was the health issues that went with it. Because his Image was so well looked after, nobody realised he was so ill, that his body was slowly but surely packing up.

Basically he was a spoilt brat, he wouldn't listen to anyone. Having read 'The Colonel', I am convinced Tom parker was the only person (had he bothered) who had the power over Elvis to make him listen, and get sorted out.


Deb

[Diane]

That's the difference isn't it? Nobody would expect him to look a God forever more, not if we truly loved him. He was human and entitled to gain weight without being slaughtered for it. The problem was the health issues that went with it. Because his Image was so well looked after, nobody realised he was so ill, that his body was slowly but surely packing up.

Basically he was a spoilt brat, he wouldn't listen to anyone. Having read 'The Colonel', I am convinced Tom parker was the only person (had he bothered) who had the power over Elvis to make him listen, and get sorted out.


Deb

I agree that the Colonel had a lot of influence on Elvis but I'm not sure Elvis wouldn't have threatened to fire him if he came on strong about the pills.

I do believe that had Gladys lived, she would have had the best chance to turn him around.

Diane

[Unchained Melody]

I agree that the Colonel had a lot of influence on Elvis but I'm not sure Elvis wouldn't have threatened to fire him if he came on strong about the pills.

I do believe that had Gladys lived, she would have had the best chance to turn him around.

Diane

There is no way that the Colonel couldn't have been unaware of Elvis' drug problem. Sure he knew, but he wasn't going to step in and say something elvis was doing the shows bringing in money from tours and vegas and tahoe stands so it didn't effect colonel i don't think.:mad:

[debtdbruno]

I agree that the Colonel had a lot of influence on Elvis but I'm not sure Elvis wouldn't have threatened to fire him if he came on strong about the pills.

I do believe that had Gladys lived, she would have had the best chance to turn him around.

Diane


I agree there Diane.
Also, I summised from The Colonel that Elvis was.....to put it bluntly.....s*** scared of him. Various times they had confrontations infront of MM, Steve Binder also, and they say he cowtailed to him

Deb

[Brian]

There is no way that the Colonel couldn't have been unaware of Elvis' drug problem. Sure he knew, but he wasn't going to step in and say something elvis was doing the shows bringing in money from tours and vegas and tahoe stands so it didn't effect colonel i don't think.:mad:


how do you know for sure the Colonel never said anything to Elvis about his drug abuse.

[Unchained Melody]

how do you know for sure the Colonel never said anything to Elvis about his drug abuse.

Obviously it didn't do any good, if he did. Which would go to show you no one was going to be able to talk to Elvis about stopping the drug use.

[debtdbruno]

I think Tom knew....he chose to ignore it

[MissyM]

So those of you who don't like what some people wrote basically wanted the half version of Elvis's life, personality, and whole nine yards right? It could have never ever been that way. If you say one thing it leads to more questions. If you accuse people of something they feel the need to get the whole pix out to defend themselves. If you tell one story people will want to know the who, what, where and why. Heck people who have inside information can't even come her with out getting the third degree. I'm not saying it's the worst thing in the world, it is just the way fans are. And anyone on the inside is ****ed if they do and ****ed if they don't.
If anyone thought there was going to be a stopping point with all info Elvis, then you were unrealistic.
There's a reason books are still written, there is a reason why he is still talked about. There is a reason there are so many message boards devoted to him. There is a reason why every single thing about him is debated and picked apart endlessly.
And it is everyone who takes part that gives them reason to speak.
And being crude is subjective. So what if they said he had to wear diapers or what ever. Big freakin deal. So have many other folks in the last part of their unhealthy lives. It's only a big deal because it's Elvis. But in reality, he was just a human being with all the not so pleasant things going on in his life.
People take things very personally when it comes to Elvis.
And what about all the mean things people say about the MM. (like they should burn in hell??)
Do they not have families, loved ones, and people who care about them. Of course they do. And yet no one seems to be bothered by the trashing of them. Do people think that doesn't bother their family? Well, it does, take it from me.
People do the same thing to the MM, that they say the MM should not have done to Elvis. Sounds like a double standard to me.

[Brian]

Obviously it didn't do any good, if he did. Which would go to show you no one was going to be able to talk to Elvis about stopping the drug use.

right but in your previous post you said the Colonel wasn't going to say or do anything to disrupt the money flow and that Elvis drug problems didn't matter to him.
From what I read the Colonel confronted Elvis about bad performances in 73-74 and the big fight between them in September 73 was at least partially about his drug abuse and lifestyle.
Parker also canceled shows in I think 74 because of Elvis being ill.

People shouldn't be that hard on Colonel Parker over this because when you say something to a drug addict about getting better it will do no good unless that person wants to get better.

Only 2 people could've had Elvis legally commited to a hospital for treatment were Vernon Presley and Priscilla when she was married to him that could've helped but neither one of them did it.

[MissyM]

Makes no sense that the Col. didn't want Elvis to get straight. No business minded man or women in the world wants their client drugged, falling around, going into a rage or dead. That is not condusive to making money and keeping them working. Surely Elvis was worth way more alive and healthy, than sick or dead.

[debtdbruno]

Are US laws different to UK?
My parents have some friends who's daughter is an Alcoholic and they cannot get her into treatment if she won't go voluntarily.

[MissyM]

You only can do it if they are suicidal or a risk to themselves is my understanding. They have to be proven mentally unstable??

[Diane]

There is no way that the Colonel couldn't have been unaware of Elvis' drug problem. Sure he knew, but he wasn't going to step in and say something elvis was doing the shows bringing in money from tours and vegas and tahoe stands so it didn't effect colonel i don't think.:mad:

I agree. The Colonel wouldn't have cared to do anything to endanger his money flow. I say that because otherwise, I don't think the CBS Special would have been aired....and just plain greed from the very beginning as much as that poor young guy was scheduled to work. As everyone has said, Elvis belonged in a hospital at that time, not on the stage.

Diane

[Diane]

Makes no sense that the Col. didn't want Elvis to get straight. No business minded man or women in the world wants their client drugged, falling around, going into a rage or dead. That is not condusive to making money and keeping them working. Surely Elvis was worth way more alive and healthy, than sick or dead.

Ordinarily I would agree, but I don't think the Colonel had the least idea how sick Elvis was (that he was near dying) and I feel he was getting everything out of him he could for as long as he could.

Diane

[debtdbruno]

Agree there Diane

[presley31]

I really wish that the people in elvis life could of stood up to elvis and did something like the show called Intervention and maybe elvis could of fought the uphill battle he was fighting. I really feel that there was some strong addications in the family jeans and elvis lost the battle to overcome them. Gladys didn't fight much either to stay off the drinking and diet pills and whatever she may have taken. Shame really that addications can really end your life for good without proper help.

[Unchained Melody]

I agree. The Colonel wouldn't have cared to do anything to endanger his money flow. I say that because otherwise, I don't think the CBS Special would have been aired....and just plain greed from the very beginning as much as that poor young guy was scheduled to work. As everyone has said, Elvis belonged in a hospital at that time, not on the stage.

Diane

Elvis had to tour in the last two years to maintain his lavish lifestyle he had become used to by then. And the CBS Special was clearly just for the money because then Elvis was almost broke.

[Unchained Melody]

Makes no sense that the Col. didn't want Elvis to get straight. No business minded man or women in the world wants their client drugged, falling around, going into a rage or dead. That is not condusive to making money and keeping them working. Surely Elvis was worth way more alive and healthy, than sick or dead.

It don't make much sense does it.

[MissyM]

No it doesn't. And Elvis was as bull-headed as they come and the Col. knew it too. There were finacial obligations, Elvis knew he had them, the Col. was the one who provided the means to make them. He still owed Cilla. He may have put a rider on the house in case something happened to him, but that doesn't mean that he didn't intend to pay her off the other half of the settlement if he could. People assume because he did put her on there he had no intention. Maybe he did.
Graceland had expenses, he had expenses. He needed to make money so he pushed on.
As for his addictions, there was no way, no how he was ever going to admit he had a problem big enough to get help. Back then, and in that family, that sort of thing was either not talked about much, totally ignored, or not thought that much about. It was like, ok, their a drinker, or did drugs, so what, what can ya do about it if they don't wanna change.

[Genie]

:D
Yes!Is true!

I sure agree with the books, at least most of the books written about Elvis or even 'Cilla.
One cannot always believe everything they read, especially when it's not nice. These people made a lot of money, and Elvis wasn't there to defend himself.

[Genie]

I think, Goldman's and perhaps the Stanleys? (I wonder how many books the Stanley's sold, probably not many, lol). I don't know?

I also agree, it was a looooong time agoooo.

I have always disliked the way the Stanley's refer to Elvis as their "Brother"
He (Elvis) was kind and loving enough to accept Dee and her children into Graceland because of the love he had for his Father.
But, in my opinion, to make money from a book calling oneself Elvis' brother is worth putting it back down and walking to another section of the book store. lol

[Genie]

No it doesn't. And Elvis was as bull-headed as they come and the Col. knew it too. There were finacial obligations, Elvis knew he had them, the Col. was the one who provided the means to make them. He still owed Cilla. He may have put a rider on the house in case something happened to him, but that doesn't mean that he didn't intend to pay her off the other half of the settlement if he could. People assume because he did put her on there he had no intention. Maybe he did.
Graceland had expenses, he had expenses. He needed to make money so he pushed on.
As for his addictions, there was no way, no how he was ever going to admit he had a problem big enough to get help. Back then, and in that family, that sort of thing was either not talked about much, totally ignored, or not thought that much about. It was like, ok, their a drinker, or did drugs, so what, what can ya do about it if they don't wanna change.
;)
For sure, no matter who we are, famous or not, the first step to recovery is to want to change. Sadly the one who needs help doesn't see it that way, I know my ex came back from VietNam an alcholic and they suggessted I go to allenon.(sp?) WHY? He refused to go to AA...that made no sense to me then or now.:doh:

[Genie]

Doesn't matter how long ago it was.
If you burn someone I loved and that matters to me ...I don't get over it.:'(

I agree with you Sweet Caroline. The guys didn't have to hurt Elvis with that book, some of the MM didn't have to trash his memory. "Cillia didn't need to tell all (her side of course) the only one who knows the truth is our man, ELVIS> and I would happily agree with his version of any story. Because I love him.

[Genie]

right but in your previous post you said the Colonel wasn't going to say or do anything to disrupt the money flow and that Elvis drug problems didn't matter to him.
From what I read the Colonel confronted Elvis about bad performances in 73-74 and the big fight between them in September 73 was at least partially about his drug abuse and lifestyle.
Parker also canceled shows in I think 74 because of Elvis being ill.

People shouldn't be that hard on Colonel Parker over this because when you say something to a drug addict about getting better it will do no good unless that person wants to get better.

Only 2 people could've had Elvis legally commited to a hospital for treatment were Vernon Presley and Priscilla when she was married to him that could've helped but neither one of them did it.
:hmm: Thought provoking post. Good points. In that year if you held an RX in your hands, you didn't have a "Problem" and I think that was how Elvis saw it to be. He wasn't wheeling and dealing on the streets and back alleys (that I ever heard about) so it would be like someone telling me to stop eating frozen yogurt because it's a disgrace to a veggie to use anything like milk from a cow. It just seems light fussing over nickles and dimes.:blink: