Marty Lacker About GK's Book

[Elvis.com]

Speaking of books and some of the fiction that has been written in regards to Elvis and his world, I was just sent an excerpt from George Klein's book by a fan in Ireland.

Link To Original Article (http://www.elvisnews.com/articles.aspx/marty-lacker-about-gks-book/1410)

[sasha]

George Klein's is the worst book I've seen in a long time ! (n)

[KPM]

I recently read a review of this book in my local paper by Mike Householder from the Associated Press-here is the link to the review:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/review-elvis-buddy-george-klein-takes-readers-on-fascinating-trip-inside-the-kings-court-80639387.html
Small excerpt:

......"Elvis: My Best Man" also hits on the major points in Presley's life, including his marriage to — and divorce from — Priscilla Beaulieu; his time in the Army; his movie and music careers; and so on.

Klein unlocks the door to the King's court, but what he shows us isn't a tale of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll favored by other Presley biographers.His is a tribute and a welcome addition to the mountain of Presley books already on the market......

[May]

George Klein's is the worst book I've seen in a long time ! (n)

Whys that Sasha?:hmm:

[ForeverTheKing]

George Klein's is the worst book I've seen in a long time ! (n)

Yes, why?

I like George Klein...I think he had been a real friend...I don't think he wrote something bad in the book...but I've already had to read the book so I'm curious about what's wrong for you with the book (y)

[sasha]

Shouldn't say that, huh?;) You all can decide. Everyone's different.


YouTube- KQK Better Be There Birthday Bash - George Klein talks about the upstairs of Elvis' Mansion (part 1) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXCee1X1BXg)

YouTube- KQK Better Be There Birthday Bash - George Klein talks about the upstairs of Elvis' Mansion (part 2) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE-spfnqosk)

This review/article is what I complained about:
http://www.elvisnews.com/articles.aspx/elvis-my-best-friend-excerpts/1406

[rocknroll]

Hearing GK "speak" on the radio makes me cringe. Time for retirement.

Sorry, back on topic now.........

[TotallyInsane]

Hearing GK "speak" on the radio makes me cringe. Time for retirement.

Sorry, back on topic now.........

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

[Jungleroom76]

I just received my copy of GK's book but haven't had a chance to dig into it yet...

HOWEVER, I figured it wouldn't be long before the other members of Elvis' inner circle came out to criticize the book...the other ones come out and take shots at the book!! That's what always happens every time one of these guys writes a book. I'm not saying GK is right, I'm not saying Marty is right...what I am saying is that you now have the Elvis story told from a different perspective. Since Elvis obviously isn't alive to give us the actual account of what happened, we have to rely on the stories from the guys around him. They certainly won't all be accurate (time unfortunately does cloud the memories) and some may embellish the facts surrounding events, but still...these stories are as close as we'll ever get to knowing the really Elvis Presley story. :hmm:

Personally, I enjoy listening to GK tell his stories. Perhaps he does embellish his stories from time to time, but since I wasn't there myself, I enjoy hearing what took place as it's the only way I will ever know what happened!!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

[JDD]

I just received my copy of GK's book but haven't had a chance to dig into it yet...

HOWEVER, I figured it wouldn't be long before the other members of Elvis' inner circle came out to criticize the book...the other ones come out and take shots at the book!! That's what always happens every time one of these guys writes a book. I'm not saying GK is right, I'm not saying Marty is right...what I am saying is that you now have the Elvis story told from a different perspective. Since Elvis obviously isn't alive to give us the actual account of what happened, we have to rely on the stories from the guys around him. They certainly won't all be accurate (time unfortunately does cloud the memories) and some may embellish the facts surrounding events, but still...these stories are as close as we'll ever get to knowing the really Elvis Presley story. :hmm:

Personally, I enjoy listening to GK tell his stories. Perhaps he does embellish his stories from time to time, but since I wasn't there myself, I enjoy hearing what took place as it's the only way I will ever know what happened!!! ;)

TCB!
Mike


Mike

I'm three chapters in , haven't seen anything bad or that seems or sounds inaccurate yet. I've yet to see Marty give anything a thumbs up but his own book way back. Maybe Marty just comes off bad in print or something. They aren't in the same faction of the Elvis friends so I guess its to be expected. After he died, some of those guys went their own way , as if they weren't ever friends, maybe they weren't .

JD

[Brian]

Mike

I'm three chapters in , haven't seen anything bad or that seems or sounds inaccurate yet. I've yet to see Marty give anything a thumbs up but his own book way back. Maybe Marty just comes off bad in print or something. They aren't in the same faction of the Elvis friends so I guess its to be expected. After he died, some of those guys went their own way , as if they weren't ever friends, maybe they weren't .

JD

Marty Lacker doesn't like George Klein taking credit for talking with Elvis about recording with Chips Moman in 1969.

Marty Lacker says he's the one that talked Elvis into recording with Chips Moman not George.

He's tired of George Klein taking credit for things that he did that's why he spoke out against the book.

It's understandable

[JDD]

Sounds kinda silly to me Brian if thats the source of his problem. Life is too short neither one is going to profit from it now . There wasn't many people that got to be inside like they were for them to faction off and bicker like several of them seem to do . Seems like he has problems with a lot of guys whenever I read an interview with him he seems hacked off at somebody, but like I said, maybe he just comes off bad in print.

[sasha]

Just FYI: I do not like Marty Lacker ! We've never gotten along.
This is whether Klein can come along & rewrite history.
Was Elvis on the commode or sitting on his barber chair?
It's about the "truth." Do any of them know what "truth" is?
Plus the wild stories about Elvis they all now seem to like to tell as his "friend." Just to sell a book?
I'm beginng to think like many others. Elvis had no "friends." Very sad ! :'(

[Brian]

Sounds kinda silly to me Brian if thats the source of his problem. Life is too short neither one is going to profit from it now . There wasn't many people that got to be inside like they were for them to faction off and bicker like several of them seem to do . Seems like he has problems with a lot of guys whenever I read an interview with him he seems hacked off at somebody, but like I said, maybe he just comes off bad in print.

I think George Klein is actually the problem here he's always taking credit for things other people did for Elvis.
I've heard him on his radio show claim that he was the go between during the Elvis-Beatles meeting and that he designed the Aloha jumpsuits among other things.

If George Klein would shut up and quit taking credit for the 69 Memphis sessions Marty Lacker probably wouldn't say anything.

I would do the same if someone had written a book and claimed to have taken credit for something that i'd done.

[intheghetto]

If George Klein would shut up and quit taking credit for the 69 Memphis sessions Marty Lacker probably wouldn't say anything.

I would do the same if someone had written a book and claimed to have taken credit for something that i'd done.

What I don't understand is why these guys have to have ownership over something that is almost of no consequence. Elvis recorded a great album at American...end of story. Who gives a **** who recommended Moman to him and why do these guys need to have credit given? They worked for Elvis, probably had a great time doing it, and at least one of them continues the career he built outside of Elvis' circle (George Klein). The more I hear these guys bicker about who did what for Elvis, the more I see the whole 'sychopant' label making sense. Once I heard GK have a phone conversation with Larry Geller. Geller talked about how he was 'the last guy to touch Elvis' before they shut the coffin and you could hear they one-upmanship in GK's voice when he had to clarify that he was the last guy to 'kiss the coffin' before it went in it's temporary resting place in the mausoleum at Forest Hill. I mean who cares!!! They're both lucky that they had the tremendous opportunity to generate income of their own simply because they knew and were friends with Elvis. A pretty convenient way to make some nice cash, no?

[Brian]

What I don't understand is why these guys have to have ownership over something that is almost of no consequence. Elvis recorded a great album at American...end of story. Who gives a **** who recommended Moman to him and why do these guys need to have credit given? They worked for Elvis, probably had a great time doing it, and at least one of them continues the career he built outside of Elvis' circle (George Klein). The more I hear these guys bicker about who did what for Elvis, the more I see the whole 'sychopant' label making sense. Once I heard GK have a phone conversation with Larry Geller. Geller talked about how he was 'the last guy to touch Elvis' before they shut the coffin and you could hear they one-upmanship in GK's voice when he had to clarify that he was the last guy to 'kiss the coffin' before it went in it's temporary resting place in the mausoleum at Forest Hill. I mean who cares!!! They're both lucky that they had the tremendous opportunity to generate income of their own simply because they knew and were friends with Elvis. A pretty convenient way to make some nice cash, no?



I wouldn't say recommending Elvis record with Moman was of almost no consequence.

The reason George makes these claims is because he's got a big ego and he thinks fans aren't smart enough to know the difference.

[Junebug]

I just received my copy of GK's book but haven't had a chance to dig into it yet...

HOWEVER, I figured it wouldn't be long before the other members of Elvis' inner circle came out to criticize the book...the other ones come out and take shots at the book!! That's what always happens every time one of these guys writes a book. I'm not saying GK is right, I'm not saying Marty is right...what I am saying is that you now have the Elvis story told from a different perspective. Since Elvis obviously isn't alive to give us the actual account of what happened, we have to rely on the stories from the guys around him. They certainly won't all be accurate (time unfortunately does cloud the memories) and some may embellish the facts surrounding events, but still...these stories are as close as we'll ever get to knowing the really Elvis Presley story. :hmm:

Personally, I enjoy listening to GK tell his stories. Perhaps he does embellish his stories from time to time, but since I wasn't there myself, I enjoy hearing what took place as it's the only way I will ever know what happened!!! ;)

TCB!
Mike


Mike

I'm three chapters in , haven't seen anything bad or that seems or sounds inaccurate yet. I've yet to see Marty give anything a thumbs up but his own book way back. Maybe Marty just comes off bad in print or something. They aren't in the same faction of the Elvis friends so I guess its to be expected. After he died, some of those guys went their own way , as if they weren't ever friends, maybe they weren't .

JD


IMO, GK's book is really innocuous.

Whatever perceived errors may have been made, it does not give the impression of anything intentionally under-handed or embellished for self-gain.

It is interesting to read what has been written by Marty Lacker in the ElvisNews.com article and then his description of 'that night' from 'Revelations'. And yet both accounts are from the same person.


And according to Careless Love* on recording at American in Memphis with Chips:

Felton Jarvis had traveled to Graceland to discuss the January recording session with Elvis. Several of the guys happened to be there.

Marty Lacker had just started work at American.
GK had connections with American - Chips had produced some records for a small label of GK's.
Red West had long-standing connections with Chips as a songwriter & occasional recording artist.

GK relays his thoughts, input and knowledge to Elvis about American.
ML relays his thoughts, input and knowledge to Elvis about American.

"Soon everyone was registering his support, even Felton, and in the end, as an informed source described it to Variety several months later,
"Presley's friends, Marty Lacker [and] George Klein, convinced the singer...so subtly that he finally 'came up with the idea himself.'"

*Source: Careless Love, pg. 326-327 - George Klein interview; Nash, Elvis Aaron Presley, pp. 444, 454; Marty Lacker et al., Elvis Portrait of a Friend , pp. 114, 187, Felton Jarvis interview; Variety, June 18, 1969 and other sources

*********


So which account is correct?????? :hmm::hmm::hmm:


I guess its Reader's Choice again.


:king:

[ForeverTheKing]

I just received my copy of GK's book but haven't had a chance to dig into it yet...

HOWEVER, I figured it wouldn't be long before the other members of Elvis' inner circle came out to criticize the book...the other ones come out and take shots at the book!! That's what always happens every time one of these guys writes a book. I'm not saying GK is right, I'm not saying Marty is right...what I am saying is that you now have the Elvis story told from a different perspective. Since Elvis obviously isn't alive to give us the actual account of what happened, we have to rely on the stories from the guys around him. They certainly won't all be accurate (time unfortunately does cloud the memories) and some may embellish the facts surrounding events, but still...these stories are as close as we'll ever get to knowing the really Elvis Presley story. :hmm:

Personally, I enjoy listening to GK tell his stories. Perhaps he does embellish his stories from time to time, but since I wasn't there myself, I enjoy hearing what took place as it's the only way I will ever know what happened!!! ;)

TCB!
Mike

I agree (y)

With this I don't want to tell who is right or wrong but sure, when we read any of their book, we have to take a bit of distance. It's hard for us to know if facts went in that way...Elvis is not here. I only enjoy reading the story from different ponts of view and I only hope every member of Elvis entourage has the consciousness to say the truth, at least for the respect they must give to Elvis (y)

[Sweet_One_E.]

there is a vast difference between a "different perspect" and telling all out lies. why lie, what is the motive behind it?? I don't know about anyone here, but if someone lies about me or a friend, I will defend the truth. I'm weird that way.

[Getlo]

George Klein's is the worst book I've seen in a long time ! (n)

So you've read the whole thing then?

[sasha]

So you've read the whole thing then?'

Does it matter? One or two lies is ok?
Anyone can accept what he says if they like. Many stories are told by all of them. Maybe you can ask him why he says the things he does. But, no I didn't read it all.
I stopped reading & threw it in the fireplace.I was just to the point I'd had enough. Time to just enjoy Elvis music & ignore everything else.

[Lisarose]

Just got my book and have skimmed, can't wait to read the whole book.

[GIORGIA]

Yes, why?

I like George Klein...I think he had been a real friend...I don't think he wrote something bad in the book...but I've already had to read the book so I'm curious about what's wrong for you with the book (y)I liked too George,but I read a fiew phrases about this book,here,that him write,and I DON'T Like the fact that he tell some things about Our Love Elvis to much private and intimate:mad:!Because,for Me,a truly friend,don't do that(n)!And I don't think that Elvis would be so happy of that:'(!I mean,I don't see,unfortunatelly:'(,most of the times,the truly friendship to Elvis!Because them thinking only at the MONEY:mad:!Orrible(n)!

[GIORGIA]

I agree (y)

With this I don't want to tell who is right or wrong but sure, when we read any of their book, we have to take a bit of distance. It's hard for us to know if facts went in that way...Elvis is not here. I only enjoy reading the story from different ponts of view and I only hope every member of Elvis entourage has the consciousness to say the truth, at least for the respect they must give to Elvis (y) I don't think,unfortunatelly,that they tells always the true!Unfortunatelly!And,unfortunatelly,most of they NOT RESPECT OUR LOVE ELVIS:'(!Don't give the RESPECT THAT HE DISERVE:blush:!

[ElvisAronPresley]

Hi everybody.
1st post here ...
First of all forgive my English but I'd like to point out some things.

Being a bad mannered person, must be a must ( sorry ) in the Elvis world.
I read some comment here in this post ( so I don't think I am not off topic ) about "Mr." Marty Lacker which i completely agree about.
He's a very bad mannered guy and i really wonder how Elvis could keep a guy like that around him and his family.

Same goes for the LUCKILY gone "Mr." Bill Burk.
When the newsgroup alt.elvis.king was readable via Outlook, I once asked something to him. He started to cover me literally of insults like "freeloader" and many others. Just for an information !!!!
And he told me that if I wanted information I had to buy his books (!!)

I invite you all to think : Elvis is STILL a very good meal, where STILL a lot of people has to eat and live with.

Priscilla and Lisa should not allow this.
Priscilla and Lisa should take ALL these persons and clearly ask them to mind their own business and live with the things they do now ( which sometimes it's close to NOTHING ).

The only friend I recognize in Elvis' world, personally, is Charlie Hodge.
All the other ones were just, as Bill Burk called me, freeloaders ( Marty Lacker, Bill Burk and George Klein included ).

Hope I was not too rude.

Greetings to all of you.
Roberto, Milano, Italia

[sasha]

Hi everybody.
1st post here ...
First of all forgive my English but I'd like to point out some things.

Being a bad mannered person, must be a must ( sorry ) in the Elvis world.
I read some comment here in this post ( so I don't think I am not off topic ) about "Mr." Marty Lacker which i completely agree about.
He's a very bad mannered guy and i really wonder how Elvis could keep a guy like that around him and his family.

Same goes for the LUCKILY gone "Mr." Bill Burk.
When the newsgroup alt.elvis.king was readable via Outlook, I once asked something to him. He started to cover me literally of insults like "freeloader" and many others. Just for an information !!!!
And he told me that if I wanted information I had to buy his books (!!)

I invite you all to think : Elvis is STILL a very good meal, where STILL a lot of people has to eat and live with.

Priscilla and Lisa should not allow this.
Priscilla and Lisa should take ALL these persons and clearly ask them to mind their own business and live with the things they do now ( which sometimes it's close to NOTHING ).

The only friend I recognize in Elvis' world, personally, is Charlie Hodge.
All the other ones were just, as Bill Burk called me, freeloaders ( Marty Lacker, Bill Burk and George Klein included ).

Hope I was not too rude.

Greetings to all of you.
Roberto, Milano, Italia

Think you got it right. ;) I've met a few of the same Elvis "friends."
There's not much Priscilla & Lisa can do, legally. It's our "free speech" thing .
Just hope someday people will recognize what's going on.
I've about decided to just enjoy the music he gave us & forget everything else.

[KPM]

Marty Lacker doesn't like George Klein taking credit for talking with Elvis about recording with Chips Moman in 1969.

Marty Lacker says he's the one that talked Elvis into recording with Chips Moman not George.

He's tired of George Klein taking credit for things that he did that's why he spoke out against the book.

It's understandable
I think that may be part of the problem.
Martys story on George has changed drastically from his first book on Elvis (as I have shown in another thread)-so to call others liars is a little harsh. It seems the problem between these guys always ends up at-who did the most, who was the best friend, who was crucial to something in Elvis's life at critical important moments:doh:

[JDD]

Right now Martys complaint or gripe reminds me of two little kids I seen bickering in Walmart the other day. One of them finally announced to their mom
that Him and "Tommy weren't going to be brothers anymore, because Tommy said he was the strongest when I'm really the strongest". If this is the kind of stuff that went on day in and out around Graceland no wonder he fired them all a couple of times.

I'm half way through the book, I find it enjoyable still haven't seen anything that was shocking, damaging or outright lies based on reading 20 or 30 other books , its just more about his relationship with Elvis, instead of the other guys.
I enjoy hearing all of it.

[Brian]

I think that may be part of the problem.
Martys story on George has changed drastically from his first book on Elvis (as I have shown in another thread)-so to call others liars is a little harsh. It seems the problem between these guys always ends up at-who did the most, who was the best friend, who was crucial to something in Elvis's life at critical important moments:doh:

Yes, Marty and George were friends while Elvis was alive but had a falling out a couple of years after Elvis died.

Well, if George Klein is lying about the 69 Memphis sessions and Marty is right then i suppose it's good that he gets called on it.

George Klein has other people that says he's full of it.
Bill Burk while doing research for his book for the Elvis early years: Humes High book said he couldn't find another student that could recall George Klein and Elvis ever talking to each other while in school.
George Klein being class president and Elvis being a loner they ran in different circles and his book certainly contradicts the claims that Klein makes about he and Elvis were best friends since 1948.

[JDD]

George Klein being class president and Elvis being a loner they ran in different circles and his book certainly contradicts the claims that Klein makes about he and Elvis were best friends since 1948.



I'm actually reading the book and he's made no such claims in the book . He says he knew Elvis from School but they weren't exactly what you'd call best friends. Later recounts him hanging around with Elvis and Dewey Phillips and it got late and they went back to the Audobon drive house and Elvis had GK stay over. This was 7 or 8 years after the date you mention in 1956 or 57 , and Elvis began sleep walking. He got him back in bed, and the next day he didn't mention it and neither did Elvis, because "It was still early in his career and still early in our friendship but I already knew he was a guy with deep personal Pride , and I knew this was something that would more likely embarass him then be something he'd enjoy kidding about".

In the book he's made Zero claims that they were best friends since 48, in fact he mentions over and over they were classmates, and friendly to each other but that they did not hang out in the Humes years, and even after Humes they would see each other around and say hello but then go their own way. It wasn't until GK was on the radio and Elvis had a record out that Dewey Phillips gave Klein to play on his then Arkansas radio show , that they began hanging out .



Besides all that , It would be easy for people not to remember something from 1948 anyway when in a quote from Burk himself he says he didn't start talking with classmates and teachers until 1885

"The Elvis I have come to know in talking to scores of his friends, classmates, teachers and neighbors since 1985 have greatly deepened my knowledge of Elvis and today I find I admire the man much more than I did during those 20 years we were neighbors," Mr. Burk said in a recent column on the Elvis Information Network.

http://www.elvisnews.com/news.aspx/bill-burk-passes-away/10578

One thing we know , He knew Elvis in School, Elvis introduced him to people as someone he was classmates with and we know he was close enough with him to be asked to be a Pall-barer at his funeral, not generally something passing acquaintances do. Also one last thing, on his Sirius show I've heard GK say "I don't know if I was always Elvis best friend, but he was mine" , a lot of the guys seem to feel that way.

[Jungleroom76]

I'm actually reading the book and he's made no such claims in the book . He says he knew Elvis from School but they weren't exactly what you'd call best friends.

Precisely right JDD!!! (y)

I just got started with GK's book last night and although I didn't get very far into it, I did get to read the first couple of chapters and it does appear that GK and Elvis, while friendly in high school, weren't hanging out with each other all the time. They knew of each other, said hello and spoke to each other in the hallway and such like that, but didn't really develop a "best friend"-ship at that time.

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

And according to Careless Love* on recording at American in Memphis with Chips:

Felton Jarvis had traveled to Graceland to discuss the January recording session with Elvis. Several of the guys happened to be there.

Marty Lacker had just started work at American.
GK had connections with American - Chips had produced some records for a small label of GK's.
Red West had long-standing connections with Chips as a songwriter & occasional recording artist.

GK relays his thoughts, input and knowledge to Elvis about American.
ML relays his thoughts, input and knowledge to Elvis about American.

"Soon everyone was registering his support, even Felton, and in the end, as an informed source described it to Variety several months later,
"Presley's friends, Marty Lacker [and] George Klein, convinced the singer...so subtly that he finally 'came up with the idea himself.'"

*Source: Careless Love, pg. 326-327 - George Klein interview; Nash, Elvis Aaron Presley, pp. 444, 454; Marty Lacker et al., Elvis Portrait of a Friend , pp. 114, 187, Felton Jarvis interview; Variety, June 18, 1969 and other sources


So according to this, both Marty and GK had their say on the whole recording at American Sound idea. So what's Marty's problem then with GK's recollection of this? In GK's book, he mentions Marty being there at the meeting around the dining room table, he mentions Marty's connection to American and he mentions Marty also thinking it would be a great idea for Elvis.

Perhaps GK embellishes his actual influence on the whole thing, but if you listen to Marty's gripes about the book, Marty makes it sound like GK just completely gave Marty no credit at all and that is NOT the case!!!

It just sounds to me like sour grapes re-surfacing for Marty again!!! (n)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Marty Lacker doesn't like George Klein taking credit for talking with Elvis about recording with Chips Moman in 1969.

Is there ANYONE in the inner circle that Marty likes anymore??? It seems like whenever any of them say anything, Marty has to jump right in and "set the record straight", which usually involves Marty being the center of attention in any given situation or conversation! (n)

If you listen to him, Marty was really the only one that worked for Elvis, gave Elvis ideas, etc. I'm surprised Marty hasn't tried to convince everyone that HE was really Elvis' manager, not Parker. :doh:

TCB!
Mike

[Tommy]

Is there ANYONE in the inner circle that Marty likes anymore??? It seems like whenever any of them say anything, Marty has to jump right in and "set the record straight", which usually involves Marty being the center of attention in any given situation or conversation! (n)

If you listen to him, Marty was really the only one that worked for Elvis, gave Elvis ideas, etc. I'm surprised Marty hasn't tried to convince everyone that HE was really Elvis' manager, not Parker. :doh:

TCB!
Mike

Can we all image what Elvis went through with these guys all the time, his inter circle always trying to persuade him their way, for attention. :doh::lol: Sounds like they still are after all these years!

[Brian]

Is there ANYONE in the inner circle that Marty likes anymore??? It seems like whenever any of them say anything, Marty has to jump right in and "set the record straight", which usually involves Marty being the center of attention in any given situation or conversation! (n)

If you listen to him, Marty was really the only one that worked for Elvis, gave Elvis ideas, etc. I'm surprised Marty hasn't tried to convince everyone that HE was really Elvis' manager, not Parker. :doh:

TCB!
Mike

Yes, Marty Lacker supposedly gets along with Sonny West, Red West, Lamar Fike, Billy Smith and got along with Richard Davis and Alan Fortas when they were alive.

I think Marty acknowledges that Red West wrote songs for Elvis and Lamar Fike brought songs to him.

[Brian]

I'm actually reading the book and he's made no such claims in the book . He says he knew Elvis from School but they weren't exactly what you'd call best friends. Later recounts him hanging around with Elvis and Dewey Phillips and it got late and they went back to the Audobon drive house and Elvis had GK stay over. This was 7 or 8 years after the date you mention in 1956 or 57 , and Elvis began sleep walking. He got him back in bed, and the next day he didn't mention it and neither did Elvis, because "It was still early in his career and still early in our friendship but I already knew he was a guy with deep personal Pride , and I knew this was something that would more likely embarass him then be something he'd enjoy kidding about".

In the book he's made Zero claims that they were best friends since 48, in fact he mentions over and over they were classmates, and friendly to each other but that they did not hang out in the Humes years, and even after Humes they would see each other around and say hello but then go their own way. It wasn't until GK was on the radio and Elvis had a record out that Dewey Phillips gave Klein to play on his then Arkansas radio show , that they began hanging out .



Besides all that , It would be easy for people not to remember something from 1948 anyway when in a quote from Burk himself he says he didn't start talking with classmates and teachers until 1885

"The Elvis I have come to know in talking to scores of his friends, classmates, teachers and neighbors since 1985 have greatly deepened my knowledge of Elvis and today I find I admire the man much more than I did during those 20 years we were neighbors," Mr. Burk said in a recent column on the Elvis Information Network.

http://www.elvisnews.com/news.aspx/bill-burk-passes-away/10578

One thing we know , He knew Elvis in School, Elvis introduced him to people as someone he was classmates with and we know he was close enough with him to be asked to be a Pall-barer at his funeral, not generally something passing acquaintances do. Also one last thing, on his Sirius show I've heard GK say "I don't know if I was always Elvis best friend, but he was mine" , a lot of the guys seem to feel that way.

Bill Burk wasn't talking about what's in George Klein's book he died a couple of years ago.

For years George Klein on his radio show would claim that he met and befriended Elvis in 8th grade in 1948 the same year he (Elvis) supposedly got up in front of the class and sang cold cold icy fingers on the guitar and then says they were good friends in High school.

I'm surprised he doesn't say the same thing in his book since i've always heard him say that.

[Brian]

So according to this, both Marty and GK had their say on the whole recording at American Sound idea. So what's Marty's problem then with GK's recollection of this? In GK's book, he mentions Marty being there at the meeting around the dining room table, he mentions Marty's connection to American and he mentions Marty also thinking it would be a great idea for Elvis.

Perhaps GK embellishes his actual influence on the whole thing, but if you listen to Marty's gripes about the book, Marty makes it sound like GK just completely gave Marty no credit at all and that is NOT the case!!!

It just sounds to me like sour grapes re-surfacing for Marty again!!! (n)

TCB!
Mike

George Klein was interviewed by Peter Guralnick for his books and Klein told him that he was the one responsible for Elvis recording at American no one else.
George Klein also told Ernst Jorgensen that he was the one who talked Elvis into recording at American no one else.
In the past George Klein never mentioned Marty.

Peter Guralnick and Ernst weren't there so they take George Klein's word for it and that's how he gets credit for talking Elvis into recording at the American sessions in some publications.


Marty Lacker says he's the only one that ever mentioned to Elvis about recording at American.

[Jungleroom76]

Can we all image what Elvis went through with these guys all the time, his inter circle always trying to persuade him their way, for attention. :doh::lol: Sounds like they still are after all these years!

You really have to wonder though exactly who said or did what in the stories told by the guys. Obviously Elvis isn't here to set the record straight, so it seems that each of the guys tell the same stories, but each of them embellishes the story in such a way so that THEY look good. I don't necessarily know if there was a lot of in-fighting within the group when Elvis was alive simply because Elvis wouldn't accept that. Did they argue outside of Elvis' presence? I'm sure they did, but I think there is MUCH more fighting, arguing, etc. now since Elvis passed.

The sad part is that a lot of these guys are getting up there in years and it really is sad that these guys are divided like they are these days. Instead of griping and bickering, they should all come together for the common good of Elvis. But...some of them seem much more content to try and continue to "set the record straight" by making themselves look good and every one else look like a hanger-on. (n)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Yes, Marty Lacker supposedly gets along with Sonny West, Red West, Lamar Fike, Billy Smith and got along with Richard Davis and Alan Fortas when they were alive.

I think Marty acknowledges that Red West wrote songs for Elvis and Lamar Fike brought songs to him.

Actually, I remember watching a special on the Memphis Mafia on the Biography channel not too long ago and during portions of the special, you could see Lamar, Marty, Sonny & Billy sitting at a bar reminiscing about their time with Elvis. It was quite interesting during those portions of the show to see Lamar and Marty pretty much take control of the discussion. Pretty much every time Sonny or Billy tried to speak up, Marty and/or Lamar would talk over them to tell their version of the story until finally Sonny and Billy would just be quiet and sit there nodding their heads.

If Marty did give credit to Red and Lamar, I'm sure that somehow he worked his way into the story so that he came out as the main character of the story. :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

George Klein was interviewed by Peter Guralnick for his books and Klein told him that he was the one responsible for Elvis recording at American no one else.
George Klein also told Ernst Jorgensen that he was the one who talked Elvis into recording at American no one else.
In the past George Klein never mentioned Marty.

Maybe he just forgot to mention Marty, I'm not sure....but I do know that GK does mention Marty in his book as being at the meeting and how Marty also agreed about the whole American recording session idea.

TCB!
Mike

[Brian]

Actually, I remember watching a special on the Memphis Mafia on the Biography channel not too long ago and during portions of the special, you could see Lamar, Marty, Sonny & Billy sitting at a bar reminiscing about their time with Elvis. It was quite interesting during those portions of the show to see Lamar and Marty pretty much take control of the discussion. Pretty much every time Sonny or Billy tried to speak up, Marty and/or Lamar would talk over them to tell their version of the story until finally Sonny and Billy would just be quiet and sit there nodding their heads.

If Marty did give credit to Red and Lamar, I'm sure that somehow he worked his way into the story so that he came out as the main character of the story. :hmm:

TCB!
Mike

Yes, I remember that show

I recall Lamar Fike doing the most talking on that show he wouldn't even let Sonny talk. LOL

[Jungleroom76]

Yes, I remember that show

I recall Lamar Fike doing the most talking on that show he wouldn't even let Sonny talk. LOL

Yeah, it was more like the "Marty and Lamar Mafia" than it was the "Memphis Mafia"! :doh:

TCB!
Mike

[Junebug]

George Klein was interviewed by Peter Guralnick for his books and Klein told him that he was the one responsible for Elvis recording at American no one else.
George Klein also told Ernst Jorgensen that he was the one who talked Elvis into recording at American no one else.
In the past George Klein never mentioned Marty.

Peter Guralnick and Ernst weren't there so they take George Klein's word for it and that's how he gets credit for talking Elvis into recording at the American sessions in some publications.


Marty Lacker says he's the only one that ever mentioned to Elvis about recording at American.


Which publications???? :blink:


1. Guralnick gives credit to George Klein and Marty Lacker for their input in Careless Love.(pg. 326-7)

2. Jorgensen and Guralnick also give George Klein and Marty Lacker credit for their input in Elvis Day by Day. (pg. 253)

3. Jorgensen, in Elvis Presley: A Life in Music - The Complete Recording Sessions, (pg. 263) notes several of the inner circle's connections to a new music scene, including George Klein and Marty Lacker. In fact, this is noted, "At any other time Marty's suggestion that they forget about Nashville and move to Chip's little studio..............."


I guess anything is possible but it is hard to imagine that in addition to the publications listed, Guralnick and Jorgensen would author information to the contrary as suggested.


:king:

[Brian]

Which publications???? :blink:


1. Guralnick gives credit to George Klein and Marty Lacker for their input in Careless Love.(pg. 326-7)

2. Jorgensen and Guralnick also give George Klein and Marty Lacker credit for their input in Elvis Day by Day. (pg. 253)

3. Jorgensen, in Elvis Presley: A Life in Music - The Complete Recording Sessions, (pg. 263) notes several of the inner circle's connections to a new music scene, including George Klein and Marty Lacker. In fact, this is noted, "At any other time Marty's suggestion that they forget about Nashville and move to Chip's little studio..............."


I guess anything is possible but it is hard to imagine that in addition to the publications listed, Guralnick and Jorgensen would author information to the contrary as suggested.


:king:

that's the point they give partial credit to George Klein in those books based on what he told them.
Marty Lacker says George shouldn't be given credit by anyone at all.


I don't know if George Klein really had connections to the music scene unless you count being a D.J.

[JDD]

Having "connections" is knowing people who work for some place or knowing somebody, and if you have listened to his show over the years you know just by the number of people that come on the show and talk with him about old times he had tons of connections. Doesn't mean he could guarantee you a deal, but he could put you in touch . If you knew someone that was a producer, thats a connection. He had them.

[Brian]

Having "connections" is knowing people who work for some place or knowing somebody, and if you have listened to his show over the years you know just by the number of people that come on the show and talk with him about old times he had tons of connections. Doesn't mean he could guarantee you a deal, but he could put you in touch . If you knew someone that was a producer, thats a connection. He had them.

I've listened to his show and he has a lot of entertainers call into his show, but I don't know if he was tight with Chips Moman like he claims.

[Genie]

You really have to wonder though exactly who said or did what in the stories told by the guys. Obviously Elvis isn't here to set the record straight, so it seems that each of the guys tell the same stories, but each of them embellishes the story in such a way so that THEY look good. I don't necessarily know if there was a lot of in-fighting within the group when Elvis was alive simply because Elvis wouldn't accept that. Did they argue outside of Elvis' presence? I'm sure they did, but I think there is MUCH more fighting, arguing, etc. now since Elvis passed.

The sad part is that a lot of these guys are getting up there in years and it really is sad that these guys are divided like they are these days. Instead of griping and bickering, they should all come together for the common good of Elvis. But...some of them seem much more content to try and continue to "set the record straight" by making themselves look good and every one else look like a hanger-on. (n)

TCB!
Mike


I can imagine it very well.... as I myself have had Marty Lacker up front and personal and he should never be believed. It's nice to know that some people know what is a bitter guy with a chip on his shoulder he is!

[Junebug]

that's the point they give partial credit to George Klein in those books based on what he told them.
Marty Lacker says George shouldn't be given credit by anyone at all.


I don't know if George Klein really had connections to the music scene unless you count being a D.J.


From your post, your comments centered on GK taking all the credit with Guralnick and Jorgensen - nothing about partial credit.

IMO, it's an assumption on your part that these two highly-regarded authors gave GK 'credit' because of what you report GK told them. Don't forget there were mutliple sources from that night at Graceland.

One of my earlier posts cites this 1969 article in Variety:

"Presley's friends, Marty Lacker [and] George Klein, convinced the singer...so subtly that he finally 'came up with the idea himself.'"

So that takes Guralnick, Jorgensen, and GK out of the equation on that one.

Also from the same earlier post, GK knew Chips/American as he had produced some records for a small label of GK's.


If GK is 'given credit in some publications' as you say, which publications is GK 'not given credit' for the American sessions?

And of those publications, who is 'given credit'?


What or who is the source for the information in your posts?

Marty Lacker?


:king:

[Brian]

From your post, your comments centered on GK taking all the credit with Guralnick and Jorgensen - nothing about partial credit.

IMO, it's an assumption on your part that these two highly-regarded authors gave GK 'credit' because of what you report GK told them. Don't forget there were mutliple sources from that night at Graceland.

One of my earlier posts cites this 1969 article in Variety:

"Presley's friends, Marty Lacker [and] George Klein, convinced the singer...so subtly that he finally 'came up with the idea himself.'"

So that takes Guralnick, Jorgensen, and GK out of the equation on that one.

Also from the same earlier post, GK knew Chips/American as he had produced some records for a small label of GK's.


If GK is 'given credit in some publications' as you say, which publications is GK 'not given credit' for the American sessions?

And of those publications, who is 'given credit'?


What or who is the source for the information in your posts?

Marty Lacker?


:king:

I didn't say Guralnick and Ernst Jorgensen were the first or only one's to credit Klein with the 69 sessions they are 2 examples I was giving.
George Klein's been talking credit for the sessions forever.

I am my source
I know George Klein has taken credit for the Memphis sessions for a long time because he says so on his radio show all the time and will tell people that.

Peter Guralnick and Ernst Jorgensen interview people associated with Elvis and write down what they say doesn't matter if it's true or not and if they aren't really sure who did what or their are conflicting stories they will interview two different sources about the same subject
It's very common when you are a writer to do it that way.






George Klein does take all the credit for the Memphis sessions and he has told Ernst Jorgensen and Peter Guralnick as well as Colin Escott that he was responsible for the 69 Memphis sessions that's why they give him credit in their books for being one of the one's responsible.
They write down George Klein helped convince Elvis to record at American along with Marty Lacker and a couple of other people.
Even though they write down Marty Lacker's account of events as well.

I was saying that's why George Klein is credited with it.
whoever interviews George about Elvis he'll at some point say he was responsible for the 69 sessions so they write it down.

I believe George Klein is not credited in an issue Goldmine
Marty Lacker's given credit in the issue of Goldmine.

[Tommy]

The sad part is that a lot of these guys are getting up there in years and it really is sad that these guys are divided like they are these days. Instead of griping and bickering, they should all come together for the common good of Elvis. But...some of them seem much more content to try and continue to "set the record straight" by making themselves look good and every one else look like a hanger-on. (n)

TCB!
Mike

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

[U.S. Male]

The sad part is that a lot of these guys are getting up there in years and it really is sad that these guys are divided like they are these days. Instead of griping and bickering, they should all come together for the common good of Elvis. But...some of them seem much more content to try and continue to "set the record straight" by making themselves look good and every one else look like a hanger-on.

Yes, I agree (y)

I mean at this point in their lives, I just don't see the point in being this way.

[Sweet_One_E.]

they look and act like any dysfunctional family after the head honcho died