The Tour That Never Was & The Aftermath

[NEA]

Hi,

Through the years I have heard a number of rumours that Elvis was going to approach the August, 1977 Tour somewhat differently - not only in musical context but also on a personal level.

According to Charlie Hodge they had worked out some arrangements for some rare songs to be included in the show, and creatively everybody was going all out to make it the best tour ever.

However, the 'Bodyguard Book' had been released to the world at that point, and I heard that Elvis was having to re-think his approach to the tour due to this trashy publication, which was supposed to have been written to get him to change his destructive nature. All sorts of insecure thoughts and questions were going through EP's mind in the run-up to this tour - How would the audience react to him now? What if they 'boo-ed' him instead of cheering? How would he handle that situation? Plus, on a personal level another added thought in his mind was the affect the book would also have on Lisa-Marie and how her friends in turn would react towards her.

It was stated that Elvis was going to come clean about that book in general on the August tour. And, it was also rumoured that he was going to admit publicly that he had a drug problem and he was looking to get the necessary help to sort the problem out.

Guys, have any of you heard about these aforementioned rumours and stories regarding the approach of 'The Tour That Never Was' and the aftermath of the World's first trashy Elvis book?

Any thoughts or other stories relating to this theme?

Many Thanks,

NEA.

[Jungleroom76]

GREAT QUESTION NEA!!! (y)

I have also heard many of the same rumors over the years regarding the "Tour That Never Was"! Apparently, a new jumpsuit was being made for Elvis to wear on the August tour and as you said, several new songs were being considered for inclusion in the shows. One of the songs being considered, according to stories I have heard over the years, was "Way Down"!! (Which would have been VERY cool to hear performed live!)

As far as the "Bodyguard Book", my GUESS is that Elvis was planning to try and make the upcoming tour the best one ever to squash the rumors that the book had started and show his fans that whatever they might have read in the book was simply the result of vicious lies made up by 3 former bodyguards who were simply bitter about being let go after so many years of employment with Elvis.

Sadly though, as much as I would personally like to believe that Elvis was going to go out on stage and admit to his fans that he had a problem with prescription medication and was going to seek treatment for his dependency problem, I just can't see Elvis doing that....as far as Elvis was concerned, what he was doing wasn't a problem because all of the medication he was taking was prescribed by physicians and therefore not a "problem". Plus, considering the several past attempts to get Elvis to free himself of his dependency problem had failed, it seemed very unlikely that another attempt would work. Of course, sadly, we'll never know what MIGHT have happened had Elvis lived on that fateful August day.... :'(

TCB!
Mike

[NEA]

Many Thanks for your reply, Jungleroom.

On that note, it will be interesting to see how Sonny West will try to re-write history with his new book - the less embittered version this time. Apparently Sonny, Red & 'Diddy Dave' wrote the first book to "get Elvis to change his ways"...The question is, and I know we'll never know the answer, but: Was Elvis going to 'squash' the rumours that the book had started as stated by Jungleroom, or did the book have an effect on Elvis to the point where he was definitely going to attempt to change his ways by facing his audience with the problem on that August tour?

It will also be interesting to hear about Sonny's take on the final year of Elvis' life - even though he wasn't there. No doubt we shall still hear about the fact that Sonny and his two former colleagues still wrote the first book to get Elvis to take a long, hard look at himself, etc., etc., yawn, yawn...

I can still sympathize to a certain degree regarding the way they got fired - Elvis did not face them. But, still really can't forgive the likes of Sonny even though I've tried to put his actions into perspective on a few occassions - the great lengths they went to to get back at Elvis was totally venomous. I feel as though it's now a case of Sonny trying to redress the balance and 'sheepishly' saying something along the lines of:

"Hi Guys, we still don't regret writing that first book, but here's another which should cheer y'all up this time!"

or

"Hi Guys, well y'all know that first book that we wrote about Elvis?...well, we were just kidding really!"

Jeez, who are these people really?...makes me laugh...you too?

Anyone gonna purchase Sonny's 'masterpiece' when it's published?

Me?...I did think about it at one point but I don't think I'll be wasting my money anymore on these kind of 'know-it-all novels' that claim to have more of an insight than everybody else's theory, especially one that is gonna be a 'true' sequel to a 'comic book publication'.

Nah...I think I'll just buy myself the next 'Follow That Dream' CD release.

Cheers,

NEA.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

As much as I am a fan, I find it hard to believe that Elvis would have admitted any sort of dependency medical or otherwise. I think the book contributed to Elvis' death in that so called friends acted rightly or wrongly in pure spite.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned is applicable here, Sonny & Red may have thought this would be the wake up call Elvis needed but also wanted to hit back at Elvis for how the felt they had be treated.

As Elvis fans we should try to be objective, some of the things in the book 'Elvis, What Happend?' might have kernels of truth but written and edited in such a way to maximise sales and shock.

Over the years EPE has all but confirmed many of the accusations that would have been classed a scurrilous rumours in years gone by and the fans have accepted that the King was human as well as a Icon.

Nearly 30 years have passed since that first book was written, I would hope any new publication by Sonny would be more objective with the years mellowing him.

I save my ultimate bile for that scumbay Goldman, he had no axe to grind, he just got off on character assassination of celebrities who had the talent he hasn't.

Matt

[mn-designs]

I don't think he would have changed the setlist for his upcoming tour...
Cause the stories are so different, if he was to give his best ever tour...why didn't he start with himself? meaning loosing weight, some rehearsals ect.
He didn't do a thing to make it his best tour ever. He only was focused on the book that was gonna be released. In fact he was in not the best shape of his life, he could pull it off at first concert...but for the 2nd night...i think he would return to the 'safe' setlist again. The fans those days were not waiting for the new songs, they just wanted to see Elvis and the well known songs. Listen to the audience recordings from his last 3 shows, the public went wild when he starts his 50's songs...

[NEA]

Many Thanks, JJ & Patrick.

JJ, I know what you mean about the deceased (diseased) Goldman - but what can be worse: having 3 so-called friends write trash about you or have somebody who doesn't know you do very much the same?

Between 1977 and 1981 there were a hat-trick of 'dodgy' publications for Elvis' Image to contend with: "Elvis - What Happened?" ('Bodyguard Book'), "Elvis" (Goldman) and that one in the middle of them by the Addams...er...sorry...Stanley Family, "Elvis We Love You Tender". It was certainly a very testing and tumultuous four years for Elvis, his family and us fans.

Summing this up, and putting Goldman aside because he wasn't Friend or Family, it doesn't give me any incentive anymore to want to meet any close relative of Elvis'...what is the point? They all make themselves out to be closer than the last one and they all appear to re-write their own stories of events. And, quite frankly, they are all an embarrassment.

There only appears to be one immediate family member who has done an amicable job over the years regarding keeping his mouth shut and that is Billy Smith (although I haven't read "Elvis & The Memphis Mafia" book so I don't know what was published in that for his contribution)...anyone beg to differ?

NEA.

[Jungleroom76]

Many Thanks for your reply, Jungleroom.

On that note, it will be interesting to see how Sonny West will try to re-write history with his new book - the less embittered version this time.

You are VERY welcome NEA!! You asked a GREAT question!!

Like you, I am VERY interested to see how the years have "changed" Sonny's opinion...if they have! :hmm:


I can still sympathize to a certain degree regarding the way they got fired - Elvis did not face them. But, still really can't forgive the likes of Sonny even though I've tried to put his actions into perspective on a few occassions - the great lengths they went to to get back at Elvis was totally venomous.

Good point NEA!! While you are 100% correct that Elvis really should have faced Red, Sonny and Dave directly (especially considering the number of years that those guys had worked for and protected Elvis), it truly is a shame that those guys felt writing a tell-all book, exposing Elvis' "dark side" (so to speak) was their only course of action! Over all of the years the guys worked for Elvis, I am sure they were given MORE than their fair share of money, gifts, cars, etc. from Elvis for their loyalty and dedication to protecting him....and by writing "Elvis: What Happened" upon their dismissal, I am speculating that this was considered to be the ULTIMATE betrayal by Elvis! Something that, had Elvis lived past August 16, I don't think he would have EVER gotten over!!! :angry:

Once again NEA, GREAT QUESTION!!! (y)

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

I save my ultimate bile for that scumbay Goldman, he had no axe to grind, he just got off on character assassination of celebrities who had the talent he hasn't.

Matt

RIGHT ON MATT!!!! (y)

TCB!
Mike

[U.S. Male]

It is true that Elvis was indeed going to ad some new songs to his show, but seeing him go on stage and admit his problems is total fantasy. Elvis did not like his personal business being "put in the street", and so I doubt very seriously that he would have done that.

[0349054]

I don?t know what Elvis would have done on that tour, had he been able to go on it. I do know that he did attempt to lose weight through a liquid diet before that tour, and that he actually ended up putting on a few pounds through water retention. As far as Elvis making an effort for it to be the best tour of his life, while I earnestly believe he wished it could be, I don?t think Elvis ever believed it could be. He was an intelligent man, and he knew his performances and appearances over the last year had been no where near what he was capable of.



Elvis did say to various members of the Memphis Mafia, that if he was questioned regarding the book by fans during concerts, that he would address the issue, only if he was questioned, and he had gone over what he would say a few times in his head. As far as dramatically changing the set, I wonder how drastically he would have attempted it. Maybe something along the lines of the August 74? opening show, or, maybe just a few additions. Most probable would be the introduction of ?Way Down? and ?Moody Blue?, with Elvis maybe trying out one or two songs which he never got to record in January 77? in Nashville.



I?m convinced that book messed him up. It messed with his head, his emotions, not just on a level of betrayal, but I think that it?s effect could have psychologically been so devastating to him that it could be seen as one of many factors that contributed to his fatal heart attack. Not only was it being published August 16th, it was being reviewed on the Breakfast Shows across the states that very day and Elvis was due to play Portland that night, surely to face a media onslaught, even if the King?s loyal subjects didn?t press him regarding the book, the press would certainly attempt to. That?s a lot of pressure for someone who is not enjoying great health or general happiness to cope with. I highly doubt Elvis would have addressed the media directly regarding the book. Although the thought of the upcoming tour, probably just scared the hell out of him. He hadn?t been getting good reviews, rumours were rife, even, ?The Commercial Appeal?, had slated his Vegas engagement in December, now the media had the testimonies of his inner circle, citing drug abuse and severe mood swings as only part of his problem.





I think Red and Sonny realise the book was a mistake, only heightened by the fact Elvis died on the day of publication. As for Hebler, I think Elvis sums him up pretty well in his conversation with Red which was taped. Just listen to the recording.

[NEA]

Thank you for the information 0349054, it is very much appreciated. I also believe that the book was a contributing factor to Elvis' health and eventual death.

I'm sure that Red & Sonny believe this too in some 'quiet' way, and it's something that they have certainly had to live with for the passed 28 years. But, from what I have heard they always appear to hide behind this "We still don't regret doing the book" facade, especially Red. And, I think Sonny's new book is his own personal way of trying to redeem himself from the ghosts of that first book. As for Dave Hebler - god only knows if he cares or whatever, but no doubt he will hide behind this same facade too. I think Hebler appeared to be the 'little sheep' following the flock in the first book project.

Looking back I'm not too sure if the rumour of Elvis 'coming clean' about the book to the audience was started from these three guys or not, in an attempt to say that their book was doing the job it was supposed to do - getting Elvis to 'change his ways' and address the situation...

Does anybody know if any of the other Memphis Mafia approached the 'bodyguard book' mob when Elvis passed away and questioned their actions in doing the book ?

If so, this would make for some interesting info.

Cheers,

NEA.

[Albert]

All sorts of insecure thoughts and questions were going through EP's mind in the run-up to this tour - How would the audience react to him now? What if they 'boo-ed' him instead of cheering? How would he handle that situation? Plus, on a personal level another added thought in his mind was the affect the book would also have on Lisa-Marie and how her friends in turn would react towards her.

Elvis tried to change his act a few times. Remember the famous Opening Night in LAs Vegas 1974? With songs like "Down In The Valley" and "Trouble". One evening with one mediocre responding crowd made Elvis directly return to his old setlist.

Turning 40 made Elvis possibly also wonder how he could expose himself in a jumpsuit. So there came the 2-piece suits again. And once again, he turned back to the old formula.

A real shame, coz Elvis forced himself to keep doing the same routine. And that's killing for an artist (especially at that -still young- age).

[nashville cat]

Having recently reread Careless Love, I was shocked to find Elvis concerned about people throwing things or booing him on the August 1977 tour. I don't think the fans reaction would have been any different. We still love him after everything that's been written and said - even after his death. There may have been more concern for his well-being.

If faced with a heckler or obnoxious fan, which I think was highly unlikely, Elvis may have felt it necessary to address the book in some way. The fact Elvis was even entertaining such an idea, and not simply emphatically denying any problems, ala the Desert Storm show, speaks volumes about where he was in his life.

[0349054]

NEA, Elvis told Billy Smith, and talked through it with him when Billy was washing Elvis' hair on the night of the 15th/16th of December.

[TCE]

I'm ceartain that Elvis wanted to come on strong at this concert to prove he was still in good spirit, but you just can't expect that he would admit in a concert what his probs where. That would break down the whole concert and fearthermore he was "accused" so often that I think he was tiered of it. Afterall if he would have suied everybody who had told a lie about him, he would be broke.



Be safe and take care,


Christel (TCE)