Gladys and Elvis

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

There has been much discussion about Glady and Elvis' relationship. But how did it really effect Elvis?

Over the years I have heard that Elvis never really got over the loss of his mother, but could the same not be said of anyone who loses their mother at a young age?

I'm sure there would have been a major impact on Elvis' life because the relationship he had with his mother was a close bond.

Did the death of his mother change the direction of his career and did she have any critical input into what Elvis was doing?

In the 1950's Elvis was considered outrageous and this was done with the full knowledge of his mother!

Time is a great healer but did Elvis get over her death?

Did Elvis' divorce have the same effect or did this hit him harder?

Questions, questions, questions. I look forward to your replies.


Mat

[Wendy56]

Interesting thread Mat...

I guess the death of his mother affected The King really bad. Is just like you said, he had a very special and nice relationship with Gladys, that turned worse the situation.

Over the years I have heard that Elvis never really got over the loss of his mother, but could the same not be said of anyone who loses their mother at a young age?

Yes, seems you're about it.

Did the death of his mother change the direction of his career and did she have any critical input into what Elvis was doing?

I don't think so... not exactly. Gladys was a big support for Elvis, I guess she knew everything he was doing and she agreed with it. Where kind of a team... Maybe he lost a little bit of security after his mother died (could that have a major impact on Elvis close relationship with Parker?).

Time is a great healer but did Elvis get over her death? Did Elvis' divorce have the same effect or did this hit him harder?

"Time is a great healer", do you really believe that Mat??? It does not happen quite often as should be. About Elvis' divorce... Well, It's hard to finish a long-time relationship... Tell me about it. That couple was together for several years and the end most be painful for both. I'm not sure, but I think these two moments on Elvis' life: his mother death and the divorce hurt his heart deep
inside. Elvis changed after each one. The king was a kindhearted man, events like those destroyed a part of him.

[carolynlm]

Personally I think Gladys death had an ongoing effect on Elvis for the rest of his life. Having read Elvis and Gladys, I realised that Gladys was a very smart and street wise lady. She had a dislike for tom parker, but I think she was using her motherly instincts in not actually stopping Elvis from signing with him, but she had the ability to use time to sway Elvis into her way of thinking. By 'chipping away' piece by piece, I'm sure had she lived, Gladys would have eventually had Elvis believe that parker was not the best person to represent him. I'm not talking about the initial impact parker had on Elvis' career, but in later years during the movie making times. Gladys saw her son shine on the stage, and I am sure Elvis would have listened to her.
Of course, these are only my thoughts, and I have never at any stage, kept my feelings toward parker to myself. I had never met the man, so I can't say I dislike him, but I dislike the way he managed his client.
As far as Elvis' and Priscilla's divorce, I think Elvis was shattered because he was not going to see Lisa as often as he would have liked. Priscilla is to be commended though, she didn't use Lisa as a pawn, but she realised that the lifestyle Elvis led, wasn't the life she wanted her daughter to grow up in. With hindsight, though, it didn't make a lot of difference. Lisa has had her own crossses to bear, with her dabble in drugs and the three marriages. Maybe it's the curse of the Presleys, I don't know.