What do you think elvis relationship with his father was really like

[elvislady]

What are your thoughts on this subject.
elvislady

[MauriceColgan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/MauriceColgan/DADDYELVIS.jpg

May give us a clue?

From all I have read very little is actually known about what Elvis really thought about his Pa. He obviously loved him no matter what happened between them.

[Dovey]

I agree with Maruice, little is known, but I do believe Elvis loved and respected his daddy. Dovey ;)

[riley]

Rumours go he had an alcohol problem and he beated his wife and son from time to time too.

Riley

[Tony Trout]

Rumours go he had an alcohol problem and he beated his wife and son from time to time too.

Riley



Elvis never was abused as a child...EVER! :angry: Stuff like that irritates the **** outta me! It has been stated that Vernon and Gladys did have a tumultuous relationship though and that he did physically harm her from time to time....(n)

As far as Elvis's relationship with his father? I can only think of one word....C-O-M-P-L-I-C-A-T-E-D...and I firmly believe that Elvis very much resented the fact that his father remarried so soon after Glady's death.....

[elvislady]

Elvis never was abused as a child...EVER! :angry: Stuff like that irritates the **** outta me! It has been stated that Vernon and Gladys did have a tumultuous relationship though and that he did physically harm her from time to time....(n)

As far as Elvis's relationship with his father? I can only think of one word....C-O-M-P-L-I-C-A-T-E-D...and I firmly believe that Elvis very much resented the fact that his father remarried so soon after Glady's death.....

I agree that elvis did resent his dad marrying dee because it was so soon after his mother had died, but it wasent just the marrying there was more to it than that.
elvislady:hmm:

[Diane]

I think there might have been some troubled times between Vernon and Gladys when Elvis was a child but I think he still loved his dad very much.

[Danny Ocean]

Vernon was a honest man that worked hard for Gladys and Elvis. At one time he was going to prison, I think all the Elvis fans know why.. When he was free the Presley's where almost always chased by money problems.. So it's true that Vernon took the bottle sometimes.. And there was some trouble sometimes between Gladys and Vernon, but I can tell you that Gladys was a strong woman and Vernon never hurt her or Elvis. Vernon always listened to Gladys.

Around 1970 Elvis and Vernon sat in the living room together. It was a very rare moment of father and son together without anyone around them. But after 20 minutes some guys came in biut they let them sit there and didn't disturb them. They where talking about the good old days, music and the church.. This was rare inside Graceland. They talked together a lot, but only if something was wrong or must be discussed. Elvis stood up, he wore a black shirt and a black pants. He sat down at his piano and Vernon was sitting next to him.. Elvis played some songs his mother liked, and Vernon was singing softly together with Elvis.. The last song they did, they didn't sang.. some guys could hear them snottering.. After a few minutes they stood up and Vernon said he was going to sleep. Elvis kissed Vernon and told him to sleep well and Vernon said he would.. He walked away and Elvis was still standing by the piano.. WHen Vernon was gone Elvis was going upstairs and said he not wanted to be disturbed.. When someone was going upstairs they could hear Elvis listen to records he played in his youth..

[amzietamzie]

For sure Elvis and Vernon had a tumultuous and complicated relationship but I think it is very evident, to me anyway, that Elvis, in many ways, needed his father and loved him very much.

By making Vernon his financial advisor, which may not have been the wisest move, it seems quite clear to me that Elvis thought it important to involve his father in his life. He involved him actively in his life on more than one occasion, such as when Elvis got Vernon an appearence in Live A Little, Love A Little. Of course, in addition to this Vernon lived right next door to Elvis and so they must have constantly seen each other.

When Gladys died, the terribly sad pictures of Elvis and Vernon mourning together shows their shared grief and love for their mother, as well as their need for each other in what must have been a truly tragic time for them both.

One of the moments which always touches me in Elvis' life is when he introduces his "Daddy" in Elvis In Concert and says how much he missed him on tour whilst Vernon had been sick. They look at each other and in that beautiful look is clearly shared love and respect, particularly in the eyes of a very proud father.

I think Vernon may have been quite a weak man, and he seemed to be unable to help influence Elvis into stopping the drugs and getting his life back on track, and clearly Elvis was upset when Vernon married so soon after his mother's death to Dee, and there must have been troubled times in their relationship, yet I think Elvis really loved his father, trusted him and wanted him to always be a part of his life. Hearing Vernon's speech at the end of EIC just breaks my heart.

[ForeverTheKing]

For sure Elvis and Vernon had a tumultuous and complicated relationship but I think it is very evident, to me anyway, that Elvis, in many ways, needed his father and loved him very much.

By making Vernon his financial advisor, which may not have been the wisest move, it seems quite clear to me that Elvis thought it important to involve his father in his life. He involved him actively in his life on more than one occasion, such as when Elvis got Vernon an appearence in Live A Little, Love A Little. Of course, in addition to this Vernon lived right next door to Elvis and so they must have constantly seen each other.

When Gladys died, the terribly sad pictures of Elvis and Vernon mourning together shows their shared grief and love for their mother, as well as their need for each other in what must have been a truly tragic time for them both.

One of the moments which always touches me in Elvis' life is when he introduces his "Daddy" in Elvis In Concert and says how much he missed him on tour whilst Vernon had been sick. They look at each other and in that beautiful look is clearly shared love and respect, particularly in the eyes of a very proud father.

I think Vernon may have been quite a weak man, and he seemed to be unable to help influence Elvis into stopping the drugs and getting his life back on track, and clearly Elvis was upset when Vernon married so soon after his mother's death to Dee, and there must have been troubled times in their relationship, yet I think Elvis really loved his father, trusted him and wanted him to always be a part of his life. Hearing Vernon's speech at the end of EIC just breaks my heart.

I totally agree Amy!(y)
I'm sure you can't compare his relationship with his dad with that one he had with Gladys.
Maybe they had problems sometimes and had arguments...but I think it's normal in any family.
Of course he was disapponted when Vernon decided to remarry but he didn't cancel his dad from his life...they stayed together 'till the end.
I have tears in my eyes when I see the clip taken from the last TV show, when Vernon thanks the fans for the cards and flowers...he seems really upset for the lost of his son :'( ....that image says everything (y)

[MauriceColgan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/MauriceColgan/DADDYELVIS.jpg

The few paragraphs we read in books in no way represents the lifetime Elvis had with his father.

Often we must question the source of many of the stories. The fact Elvis employed his Pa right till the end speaks volumes.

Many families have problems but few were ever in such a glare of limelight as the Presleys were.

[elvislady]

Thanks guys for your input some intresting stories. i to agree the last spee vernon made was very touching.
elvislady:'(

[lee]

elvis had one great love in his life that was gladys, i think he was always looking for something else, and the only thing close to him was vernon, that is not to say he would not have been close to vernon anyway, but where would anyone else turn but to family. put yourself in the position of elvis totally agree with amzietamzie cheers lee

[mxshorty59]

Elvis was a mommy's boy, but it is no doubt that he loved his father even though they weren't as close.

[franny]

Elvis was obviously closer to his mother, Gladys, but after she passed on and Vernon married not long afterwards, I think that put a little bit of a strain on their relationship...I do think they became close again...and you can see Vernon at Elvis' press conferences...plus Vernon travelled with Elvis until he became ill...

franny

[Unchained Melody]

I think that they had some issues, but i do think they both cared for each other very deeply.

[ThatsAlrightMama]

I think that like anyother father and son they had issues and problems but I think that no matter what they loved each other. And I bet Vernon was very proud of all that his son accomplished.

[MauriceColgan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/MauriceColgan/ELVISdisplay4.jpg

Yes they were close. Don't forget Elvis eventually spent far more time with his father than many people realise.
Most fathers, if not all, and sons have their differences.
I guess Elvis and Vernon's was a far more complex relationship because of who they were. Living under a spotlight could not have been that easy.

[Cryogenic]

One of the moments which always touches me in Elvis' life is when he introduces his "Daddy" in Elvis In Concert and says how much he missed him on tour whilst Vernon had been sick. They look at each other and in that beautiful look is clearly shared love and respect, particularly in the eyes of a very proud father.

I know just the picture you mean. I totally agree. Here it is:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g22/im_your_huckleberry/eic3.jpg

[amzietamzie]

Yes, that's exactly the image that was in my mind, Cryogenic. Absolutely beautiful picture, truly touches my heart... thanks for posting it (y)

[T_J]

In the early-mid 60s, I've read that Elvis and Vernon spoke every night on the phone when Elvis was away making movies in LA - sometimes for 10 mins and sometimes for two hours. To me, that says they were very close. That seems quite believable as it was told by Vernon and Dee to Albert Hand during his visit to Graceland in 1964.

[vulcandude]

I don't think Elvis was ever as close to Vernon as he was to Gladys. And I definitely think for a long time Elvis resented him having married Dee so soon after his mother's death, but I think he later learned to deal with it. I think as the 70s moved on, their relationship grew closer, because I can remember Elvis introducing his father to the audience at a concert, and stated that he was glad Vernon was able to return to touring with him because he (Vernon) had been ill. Every father/son relationship has its troubles, and I don't know why, but a particular Cat Stevens song comes to mind with this topic.

[elvis himselvis]

Vernon was a honest man that worked hard for Gladys and Elvis. At one time he was going to prison, I think all the Elvis fans know why.. When he was free the Presley's where almost always chased by money problems.. So it's true that Vernon took the bottle sometimes.. And there was some trouble sometimes between Gladys and Vernon, but I can tell you that Gladys was a strong woman and Vernon never hurt her or Elvis. Vernon always listened to Gladys.

Around 1970 Elvis and Vernon sat in the living room together. It was a very rare moment of father and son together without anyone around them. But after 20 minutes some guys came in biut they let them sit there and didn't disturb them. They where talking about the good old days, music and the church.. This was rare inside Graceland. They talked together a lot, but only if something was wrong or must be discussed. Elvis stood up, he wore a black shirt and a black pants. He sat down at his piano and Vernon was sitting next to him.. Elvis played some songs his mother liked, and Vernon was singing softly together with Elvis.. The last song they did, they didn't sang.. some guys could hear them snottering.. After a few minutes they stood up and Vernon said he was going to sleep. Elvis kissed Vernon and told him to sleep well and Vernon said he would.. He walked away and Elvis was still standing by the piano.. WHen Vernon was gone Elvis was going upstairs and said he not wanted to be disturbed.. When someone was going upstairs they could hear Elvis listen to records he played in his youth..

thanks for this story
never heard this one before

[Miss Clawdy]

Vernon was a honest man that worked hard for Gladys and Elvis. At one time he was going to prison, I think all the Elvis fans know why.. When he was free the Presley's where almost always chased by money problems.. So it's true that Vernon took the bottle sometimes.. And there was some trouble sometimes between Gladys and Vernon, but I can tell you that Gladys was a strong woman and Vernon never hurt her or Elvis. Vernon always listened to Gladys.

Around 1970 Elvis and Vernon sat in the living room together. It was a very rare moment of father and son together without anyone around them. But after 20 minutes some guys came in biut they let them sit there and didn't disturb them. They where talking about the good old days, music and the church.. This was rare inside Graceland. They talked together a lot, but only if something was wrong or must be discussed. Elvis stood up, he wore a black shirt and a black pants. He sat down at his piano and Vernon was sitting next to him.. Elvis played some songs his mother liked, and Vernon was singing softly together with Elvis.. The last song they did, they didn't sang.. some guys could hear them snottering.. After a few minutes they stood up and Vernon said he was going to sleep. Elvis kissed Vernon and told him to sleep well and Vernon said he would.. He walked away and Elvis was still standing by the piano.. WHen Vernon was gone Elvis was going upstairs and said he not wanted to be disturbed.. When someone was going upstairs they could hear Elvis listen to records he played in his youth..
How did you know about that story?

[Danny Ocean]

Charlie Hodge told it to me once... It's true, Elvis never had the relationship with Vernon as with Gladys. But he realised that Vernon needed him as a song after Gladys died. So they grew to each other.

[Ampzilla]

Gordon Stoker was on TV in New York After Elvis died

He said Elvis told Vernon you will never be half the man I am.

[JDD]

Gordon Stoker was on TV in New York After Elvis died

He said Elvis told Vernon you will never be half the man I am.



I can't say Stoker didn't say it because I never saw or heard what you say Stoker said, but I have a hard time believing Elvis Mr Yes sir, Yes mam who was known for manners was disrespectful like that to his Dad. Having a regular Parent Child argument where voices are raised is one thing saying "Dad you're not half the man I am" is way over the line where I come from.

[Ampzilla]

Rick Saucedo was also on the show. The Jordaniaes where backing him on broadway

[edbdmiddy]

I think Elvis Loved his Daddy. Vernon might not have been the greatest father in the world but then his own father was not a good father to Vernon so how would he know how to be a good father to Elvis. Elvis was closer to his mother but for sure but he loved his daddy.

[toffe]

I totally agree Amy!(y)
I'm sure you can't compare his relationship with his dad with that one he had with Gladys.
Maybe they had problems sometimes and had arguments...but I think it's normal in any family.
Of course he was disapponted when Vernon decided to remarry but he didn't cancel his dad from his life...they stayed together 'till the end.
I have tears in my eyes when I see the clip taken from the last TV show, when Vernon thanks the fans for the cards and flowers...he seems really upset for the lost of his son :'( ....that image says everything (y)

I agree with you... it is sad to se Vernon in Elvis in concert, you can see he is very upset of Elvis death... :'(

[Lisarose]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v498/MauriceColgan/ELVISdisplay4.jpg

Yes they were close. Don't forget Elvis eventually spent far more time with his father than many people realise.
Most fathers, if not all, and sons have their differences.
I guess Elvis and Vernon's was a far more complex relationship because of who they were. Living under a spotlight could not have been that easy.

Elvis was a family man who cherished his parents. Perhaps his mother more, but he kept his father close by as often as he could. Just looking at them, the body language clearly states his high regard for his "daddy". They sit close together & lean towrds each other - quite comfortable in each other's presence. At interviews Elvis includes his father on the dais (sp?) with him or calls him up to join him.
(Remember the Oprah show with Priscilla & Lisa? The two sat far away from each other & Lisa leans toward Oprah rather than towrds her mother.)
Whatever issues Elvis may have had with his father, they kept each other close. A lesson for all of us - don't go to bed angry & always tell those important to you how much you care about them/thinking about them.

[joanne]

They loved each other and I`m sick of people trying to say that they didn`t get on, its crap.
Vernon couldn`t live without his son.

[toffe]

They loved each other and I`m sick of people trying to say that they didn`t get on, its crap.
Vernon couldn`t live without his son.

You said it, i agree with you (y) :blush: