View Full Version : Do you think Elvis dated interacially?
Ejm1059
12-02-2006, 12:35 PM
This topic was brought up on the IMDB board and my girlfriends and I were talking about it for at least 2 days. As an African-American woman I've always admired Elvis for breaking the racial barriers in music and in life.:notworthy I've heard stories that he and a friend went on a date with two african american girls and got in a little trouble. But of course I don't know how reliable that story is.;)
Diane
12-02-2006, 12:52 PM
Someone on this board posted that he had dated an african woman that had worked for him in the office at Graceland at one time. If he did, he has my admiration for that too.
Donut
12-02-2006, 01:26 PM
Someone on this board posted that he had dated an african woman that had worked for him in the office at Graceland at one time. If he did, he has my admiration for that too.
Yes that?s true Diane, it?s on "Inside Graceland" by Nancy Rooks.
ForeverTheKing
12-02-2006, 01:28 PM
In the book THE ROUGH GUIDE TO ELVIS I read a story about a date between Elvis and his cousin Gene Smith with two black girls (two cousins) when they were 16 years old.
They were in a desert industrial area, just to stay in peace and listen to the radio in the car.
When they were coming back home Elvis accidently went out from the street and the car stopped in the mud. While they hardly were trying to pull the car out the mud, a police car stopped there and asked them what they were doing with those 2 black girls. Elvis explained they were coming back home after have sung in the gospel chorus. The girls cryed, Elvis and Gene thought they would have beaten them.
Fortunately nothing bad happened and the two white policemen at the end told them to go away. (y)
I don't think Elvis had any kind of problems to date with black girls :lol:
Ejm1059
12-02-2006, 03:54 PM
In the book THE ROUGH GUIDE TO ELVIS I read a story about a date between Elvis and his cousin Gene Smith with two black girls (two cousins) when they were 16 years old.
They were in a desert industrial area, just to stay in peace and listen to the radio in the car.
When they were coming back home Elvis accidently went out from the street and the car stopped in the mud. While they hardly were trying to pull the car out the mud, a police car stopped there and asked them what they were doing with those 2 black girls. Elvis explained they were coming back home after have sung in the gospel chorus. The girls cryed, Elvis and Gene thought they would have beaten them.
Fortunately nothing bad happened and the two white policemen at the end told them to go away. (y)
I don't think Elvis had any kind of problems to date with black girls :lol:
Thats the story I heard about.
Elvis dated Myrna the singer in his backup group The Sweet Inspirations.He also had a fling with the black actress from Change Of Habit.
Jak
Tony Trout
12-02-2006, 05:26 PM
He dated Myrna Smith and had a fling with Barbara McNair?? Wow.....that's a new one I've never heard before...I've always heard that Elvis never dated inter-racially.....
The answer to the original poster is YES, EP did date outside of his race as did Marlon Brando back in those days. The only difference with EP was Colonel Parker's control over his life and career. Parker to me seemed to be a straight up racist who wanted to make EP as whiter than Michael Jackson, if you know what I mean. EP was a strong supporter in donating to black charities and having admiration for black women. You also have to remember he lived in the south and his fans were basically whites who lived a difference upbringing than EP had.
The story about EP and Gene seems to be reliable as truth. I have heard this for years now. So it's nothing new to me but to some it was new news. There was a book that came out years ago that quoted EP on all of his interviews word for word, and in one interview he was asked why he did negro music and EP politely address it as Rhythm & Blues instead of "negro". I admire him for doing that.
EP and Myrna Smith never dated, at least not publicly. they did spend a lot of time together and she might have known him better than any member of the Mafia because of that. In Jerry Schilling's new book "Me And A Guy Named Elvis" he explains that EP had feelings for Myrna and was attracted to her, but because she was with Jerry his close friend, he kept their relationship strictly friends. But Myrna has said for many years now that they ere really close and that she was falling in love with him when he passed. Also Myrna is one of the last remaining close to EP that has never written her tell all book about life with him. Even his cook, housekeepers, and other bandmates have, but not her. Make ya wonder if there wasn't something going on between them. Maybe Jerry doesn't know some things too and Myrna doesnt want to hurt him by letting the cat out of the bag either.
EP did have a interracial romantic encounter with Darlene Love during the filming of Change Of Habit and it's now been said by Marty lacker (I believe) that EP was involved with Barbara McNair, his black female costar in his last movie.
He also supposedly dated R&B singer Stephanie Spruell in the mid 70's There's even a picture of them together in her hotel suite. Since we're on the subject, the question now should be, would he have married outside of his race had he have lived? I think if the right woman came around, the mafia was out of the picture, and Parker was no longer his manager, then YES I do beleive he would have married interracially. You have to look at his heart to see where he came from and what he beleived in. A racist man would not allow black women to help raise his children and influence her. A racists would nto have given black people brand new cars and homes either. So yes I think he would have crossed that line.
MIElvis
12-02-2006, 07:59 PM
Who really cares about that
Who really cares about that
Obviously enough care for this thread to be answered with intellegent and respectful replies. EP obviously cared enough to be with and around women of color and to appreciate their beauty. So a lot more care than you may think.
Awickedreigndrop
12-02-2006, 10:40 PM
This topic was brought up on the IMDB board and my girlfriends and I were talking about it for at least 2 days. As an African-American woman I've always admired Elvis for breaking the racial barriers in music and in life.:notworthy I've heard stories that he and a friend went on a date with two african american girls and got in a little trouble. But of course I don't know how reliable that story is.;)
This is a great thread! I am glad that someone finally stepped up and asked this question. I was wondering about this for awhile! (y) :notworthy
About Myrna and Elvis.I used the word dated in place of having an affair.Some might view that differently.I believe she was with Elvis first then got with Schilling while she was with Elvis.This is why Elvis bought Jerry the house as a peace offering to show everything was ok between them.
Jak
riley
12-03-2006, 06:25 AM
Perhaps he did it to get even with Jerry after his flirtations with Priscilla.:lol: :lol: :lol:
Just kidding.
I think he liked her very well I once read he danced with her and Myrna could feel him trembling all over his body.;)
Just watch TTWII it was clearly some flirtations were going on betwen them, but it was innocent I think.
Riley
Ejm1059
12-03-2006, 09:38 AM
I've always liked Myrna Smith.(y) Yes, I could see some flirting between them in TTWII.
Diane
12-03-2006, 10:03 AM
I lean towards Elvis having a flirtation with Myrna nothing more. I liked her then and still do. She seems to be a very nice lady. He used to tease Sylvia quite a lot too. I admired him a lot for standing up for the Sweet Inspirations to the officials in Texas in refusing to perform if they couldn't be with him. I also read that he even had one of the officials daughters drive them around the stadium.:lol: There's no way that Elvis could be called a racist.
Actually the affair betwen Myrna and Elvis was no big secret at the time.It's been written about many times.
jak
riley
12-03-2006, 10:15 AM
Jak,
Do you think it was "an affair" or just flirtation??
When speaking of an affair when would it have been taken place??
I know Myrna and Priscilla are still good friends, Myrna speaks very highly of her too so I don't think they had an affair while he was married to Pris.:hmm:
Riley
Jak,
Do you think it was "an affair" or just flirtation??
When speaking of an affair when would it have been taken place??
I know Myrna and Priscilla are still good friends, Myrna speaks very highly of her too so I don't think they had an affair while he was married to Pris.:hmm:
Riley
Riley
Its a well known fact that Elvis had an affair with Myrna after being divorced.It was around the time he was seeing Westmoreland I believe.I cant remember off hand if it was before or after that.I want to say just after but Im not sure.Like I said it was no big secret.
Jak
riley
12-03-2006, 10:24 AM
Thanks. I really did not know that but can understand it.
She was a beautiful person also on the inside I think and she still loves and respects him a lot.:cool:
Riley
Thanks. I really did not know that but can understand it.
She was a beautiful person also on the inside I think and she still loves and respects him a lot.:cool:
Riley
I have never heard a bad word about Myrna.She seems to be a very nice person.
Jak
Ejm1059
12-03-2006, 10:31 AM
Heres a cute vid with Elvis and the Inspirations:D :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_pc8-gSk-g
Diane
12-03-2006, 10:41 AM
Thanks for clip, it was nice! I sure wish I had all that stuff in my DVD. When are we ever going to get the complete tapes of TWII? It drives me nuts because I know we are missing so much!:'( Same for the On Tour.
Ejm1059
12-03-2006, 10:43 AM
Thanks for clip, it was nice! I sure wish I had all that stuff in my DVD. When are we ever going to get the complete tapes of TWII? It drives me nuts because I know we are missing so much!:'( Same for the On Tour.
I KNOW! :'( :'(
Donut
12-03-2006, 10:50 AM
I always thought it was Sylvia and Elvis who flirted watching them on TTWII ...
I heard the Myrna story dancing with Elvis too but nothing more. Maybe they had something at some point and she wants to keep it private.
The thing with Myrna is that she obviously had something with EP but is too scared to come out with it yet in fear that it might do more damage than good for EP's reputation. You have to remember where EP is from and who is fans originally are and that is southerners from the segregated south. However, many by now know the real EP and that racism wasn't his forte or what he believed in. Myrna speaks so highly of EP whenever she does an interview, which is rarely. But she always has a glow in her facial xpressions when she is talking about him. I don't see that with the other women even the ones who were romantically involved with him.
Also Myrna is close to both Lisa and Priscilla today, along with Linda. So she may feel pressure form them all or feel that she may lose their trust should she write a book about him. But also remember that she said in some book years ago that EP came to her personally and said "if anything should happen to me, I want you to write a book about me since you know me best" But she told him she wouldn't portray him.
Now as for Myrna and EP dating or having an affair and it being well known, this is news to me. I have been a true fan ever since I saw him live at the age of 3, yes I remember it vividly. But through the years I don't recall any of the mafia or Sweets saying EP and her were involved in any way. I do however remember a book called Memories of Elvis and in it she talked more publicly and openly about their relationship. And in a Las Vegas interview back in 1998, the reporter mentioned that their relationship went from professional to personal and even was intimate, which can indicate romance or intimacy.
In Jerry's book, he hints that EP was very fond and attracted to Myrna but he also cuts it off there and goes on to other things. As if he were hiding something or trying to slip past it. Him being Myrna's ex, it makes me wonder if Myrna asked him not to talk too much about their relationship. Maybe he's holding back for her to tell her own version.
Myrna has said that when the time is right, she'll write her story in a book form, but she can't do it yet. For whatever that means, only she knows when the time will be right. Hopefully it's soon and before something happens to her where her story is never told.
I always thought it was Sylvia and Elvis who flirted watching them on TTWII ...
I heard the Myrna story dancing with Elvis too but nothing more. Maybe they had something at some point and she wants to keep it private.
If you watch the outtakes of him rehearsing Burning Love in 1972, you can see him and Myrna swapping eye flirtations and then Myrna giggles. I've noticed this. Also noticed how he flirts with Myrna alot on stage in Elvis On Tour by glaring at her or giving that EP smile at her when singing. Watch the eye contact the most and you can see something was happening there. Also keep in mind that she was the only member of the group to fly after each show with him on the Lisa Marie jet. I know she says now that it was because of her going with Jerry. But this continued even after Schilling quit working for EP. Also remember she stayed on stage the night EP lashed out at the girls when they got up and left. Then he went through the long process of presenting to her the ring. And don't forget she has admitted to living with him at his California home. There was definitely something going on between them in private if you read between the lines. But unfortunately we may never get the truth from Myrna until she feels the time is right, if that ever happens.
Donut
12-03-2006, 11:25 AM
If you watch the outtakes of him rehearsing Burning Love in 1972, you can see him and Myrna swapping eye flirtations and then Myrna giggles. I've noticed this. Also noticed how he flirts with Myrna alot on stage in Elvis On Tour by glaring at her or giving that EP smile at her when singing. Watch the eye contact the most and you can see something was happening there. Also keep in mind that she was the only member of the group to fly after each show with him on the Lisa Marie jet. I know she says now that it was because of her going with Jerry. But this continued even after Schilling quit working for EP. Also remember she stayed on stage the night EP lashed out at the girls when they got up and left. Then he went through the long process of presenting to her the ring. And don't forget she has admitted to living with him at his California home. There was definitely something going on between them in private if you read between the lines. But unfortunately we may never get the truth from Myrna until she feels the time is right, if that ever happens.
Could be, I don?t know...
Jerry Schiling told Elvis felt atrackted to Myrna is his book if I?m not mistaken.
hounddog
12-03-2006, 04:32 PM
I've also read in a couple of books that Elvis dated a woman who was i think the book said was Cherokee.
June Junico (think i spelt that wrong) said he told her that he thought she was of Africian American decent when he first spotted her. (if only i could find the book. I'm sure others know the quote)
I don't think race even entered Elvis head, if he liked someone he liked someone.
Ejm1059
12-03-2006, 04:41 PM
I've also read in a couple of books that Elvis dated a woman who was i think the book said was Cherokee.
June Junico (think i spelt that wrong) said he told her that he thought she was of Africian American decent when he first spotted her. (if only i could find the book. I'm sure others know the quote)
I don't think race even entered Elvis head, if he liked someone he liked someone.
Elvis said in the book that when he saw June he thought she was African American. In life June is Cherokee but shes also a Chawkataw Indian (Like me:clap:)Lol
Another story is that EP once dated Bonita Cole, a niece of Nat King Cole in the 50's. There's even a picture of them together on beale Street in 1957 with BB King.
Jumpsuit Junkie
12-03-2006, 11:44 PM
The story about Elvis and Myrna has done the rounds for years, I think they flirted but nothing more, I believe Elvis would see who he wanted, there were no barriers in that regard.
Matt
IMETJB
12-06-2006, 07:24 AM
I can see Elvis having a flirtatious relationship with Myrna--hell I would too. She's pretty hot...as was Westmoreland but around '74 on..she turned..not so hot.;)
I can see Elvis having a flirtatious relationship with Myrna--hell I would too. She's pretty hot...as was Westmoreland but around '74 on..she turned..not so hot.;)
Are you saying that Myrna wasn't so hot after 1974? I haven't ever seen a bad picture of her from then or now. She has amazingly aged perfectly. She obviously was hot enough for EP to ask her to live with him. And I know she says that was when she was with Jerry, but she has also said that they spent a lot of time together in vail on vacation and Hawaii. So obviously there was more than a flirtation friendship going on. I think her relationship to Priscilla and Lisa is what is keeping her quiet right now.
If you'll notice in her interviews from the past, Myrna brushes off any type of relationship beyond friends. But still makes note that they were "real close". Secret lovers can be real close too and others not know how close. I'm also thinking that there could be things about EP and Myrna that even Jerry doesn't know of today. EP was a very private man and his romances weren't always known by those around him.
IMETJB
12-06-2006, 09:46 AM
Are you saying that Myrna wasn't so hot after 1974? I haven't ever seen a bad picture of her from then or now. She has amazingly aged perfectly. She obviously was hot enough for EP to ask her to live with him. And I know she says that was when she was with Jerry, but she has also said that they spent a lot of time together in vail on vacation and Hawaii. So obviously there was more than a flirtation friendship going on. I think her relationship to Priscilla and Lisa is what is keeping her quiet right now.
If you'll notice in her interviews from the past, Myrna brushes off any type of relationship beyond friends. But still makes note that they were "real close". Secret lovers can be real close too and others not know how close. I'm also thinking that there could be things about EP and Myrna that even Jerry doesn't know of today. EP was a very private man and his romances weren't always known by those around him.
Sorry...I was referring to Kathy going (n) after '74ish.
No, you're right Myrna is still hot. When I met her in 2001--I was a little shy because she still looked great...I even told her how I've had a crush on her since I was a kid.
Dudcowboy_1
12-06-2006, 10:18 AM
Myrna had a voice, I got to sing with her at a jam session last year. I will look threw all my photos see if I have some. It was after contest and few of ETA's got thoughter and we sang. She was sweet woman and all the Sweet Insprations where there but one that had stroke couple years back.
Love to all,
Tim Dudley 'A Tribute to Elvis Show."
I thought Kathy was cute in Elvis On Tour but i thought Myrna looked the sexiest. Something happened to Sylvia after 1970. She looked good in That's The Way It Is and that was when she and EP flirted a lot. But she seemed to lose her pretty looks too as she got older and fast. Estelle was never attractive to me. And it was Sylvia who had a stroke back in 2000. Her son was murdered in Los Angeles and it was too much on her and led to her stroke. That's why Portia Griffin took her place. Now they got 2 new young girls replacing Estelle and Portia with Myrna being the only original member.
Ejm1059
12-12-2006, 05:58 PM
I thought Kathy was cute in Elvis On Tour but i thought Myrna looked the sexiest. Something happened to Sylvia after 1970. She looked good in That's The Way It Is and that was when she and EP flirted a lot. But she seemed to lose her pretty looks too as she got older and fast. Estelle was never attractive to me. And it was Sylvia who had a stroke back in 2000. Her son was murdered in Los Angeles and it was too much on her and led to her stroke. That's why Portia Griffin took her place. Now they got 2 new young girls replacing Estelle and Portia with Myrna being the only original member.
Wow I didn't know that!:!:
This is a picture of Elvis with his African American costar Barbara McNair in Change Of Habit. It's been rumored that they had a fling while filming the movie. She was once on a talk show back in the late 90's and was asked if EP was a good kisser and her reply was ":oh yeah, he was a great kisser". I specifically remember the look on her face when she said it. Interesting. I think the show was Mauri Povich back when he was a real talk show host and not another Jerry Springer. Anyhow here's the picture.
http://www.tcb-world.com/gallery/files/2/8/3/6/4candids.jpg
Here's a photo of EP with singer Stephanie Spruell. She once sang with Michael Jackson and dated Magic Johnson before he came out public with HIV. She's also claimed to have had a thing with EP too.
http://www.tcb-world.com/gallery/files/8/2/1/7493outonthetown.jpg
sackofnachos
12-15-2006, 11:36 AM
Here's a nice pic:
http://www.elvis-collectors.com/candid-central/69nose.jpg
Ejm1059
02-05-2007, 08:47 PM
Barbara McNair has died at the age of 72 on Sunday! R.I.P
jadedragon61
02-05-2007, 11:23 PM
A very interesting question, and some very good comments by all!
I often wondered about this point. My only small comments would be as follows:
1) the colonel did indeed "control" E through most of their relationship, and putting aside whether the colonel was a racist or not, he CERTAINLY would have vetoed any attempt made by E to see non-white women as "bad publicity" - let's be honest, boys and girls, E's base, for a long time was in the south, and even now some folks - white AND black down there - don't care to see mixed racial couples.
2) if E did date any non-white women (I've also heard the rumor about beautiful Myrna) it had to have been very much on the sly.
3) last, I don't think, in any way, E could have been called a racist. There are far too many examples of his intreractions with all kinds of people to easily refute that.
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