Bodyguards...What Happened?

[NEA]

I could never understand why some Fan Clubs decided to roll out the
red carpet for Red & Sonny West a few years ago. I know its approaching
thirty years since they wrote 'that' book, and bygones should be bygones,
but I personally feel that book caused Elvis more stress and ailment in the
last year of his life. They supposedly wrote it to make him sit up, take
note and stop the destruction in his life - I don't think it allowed him to
do this by the time the stress factor took over because of the book. I
firmly believe that the book made him think otherwise, made him more
vulnerable, made him care less about things like his health and appearance
due to the fact that he felt he had no control over anything anymore.

It was interesting to see Sonny West on ITV's 'Good Morning' in the UK on July 5th. He does appear to be a nice guy, very genuine, and has obviously 'grown-up' a lot since 1976. I think he is a little more remorseful over writing that book than what his cousin, Red is. But, I don't see the need to publicise the likes of these guys and line their pockets when they should really be left alone and not be in a position to still make money out of a man they ultimately destroyed. It was a business issue that the Wests and Dave Hebler had with Elvis, but they decided to take it personally.What are your feelings on the likes of Fan Clubs still publicising these guys?

[Albert]

I really have a mixed feeling about these MM guys. On the one hand Elvis needed this safety zone with childish macho guys. On the other hand they were also reason that Elvis was so lonely and out of contact with the real world.

Also other people around him like fellow artists, Lisa Marie, co-actors, songwriters, Priscilla and many others, call the guys from the MM things like 'scum of the earth'. According to many artists the MM held Elvis back (in an artistic way).

I really wonder how Elvis life would have been when the people in the Memphis Maffia were a bit more concerned about Elvis his intrest instead of making fun. Challenge him a bit artisticly, talk about the purpose of life, religion, etc. Things that Elvis obviously missed so much with his inner circle of people.

Of course when the MM visit meetings nowadays, they are cleaning their doorstep and do everything to make them look good.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I know what you mean about the mixed feelings.

As an Elvis fan, it's hard to not dislike them knowing what their writing that book did to Elvis. But they, like Elvis, are very human and did in fact spend a good portion of their lives lovingly and loyally protecting him. It could easily be argued that their presence did not help Elvis and stunted his growth in this way or that, but the fact is they were there by Elvis's choosing, in the roles that he wanted. Also, it's easy for outsiders like we are to judge and claim that if we were in their shoes, we would have done things differently.

At this point in their lives, I think most of those guys deserve forgiveness from the fans who continue to hold a grudge.

On the other hand, I don't think they deserve to be put up on some pedestal, although some of them may think so. They are regardless interesting sources of inside information.

I don't know, but my feeling is that Red was perhaps the most remorseful of the three guys who wrote that book. Things I've read and the fact that he did not participate with the other two in the August 17, 1977 press conference lead me to believe that.

[Scottishthistle]

To be honest I dont really like this post you know why? because it's pointless, No matter how many people give there view or tell stories they've heard about the MM the goodies and indeed the baddies ...Its a waste of time..why! i hear you ask? because my friends none of us where around we where not at graceland or on tour with him the MM where so how can we speculate or hold grudges when we haven't lived in that situation ourselves.. i mean if i judged you and your lifestyle or whatever for that matter without even knowing you would'nt this make you angry and perhaps upset....? personally if i had a love one that was going downhill id do ANYTHING in my power to try to make them see sense and fight for their life back. deary me i have typed alot here so i hope what ive said has made you think and see things in a different light.....if not thanks for reading.


Lets talk about the good memories not the bad ones folks theres to much hate in the world......peace
jill

[Joe Car]

What bothers me most is not the fact that they wrote the book, the fact that now that EP is for the most part receiving positive press or getting his props if you will for being the genius and fascinating human being that he was, Sonny West has decided to write a book about his good experiences with our guy. To me this book should have been written several years ago when EP was getting slammed unmercifully and unfairly. I don't deny the fact that they loved Elvis, I just think the dollar signs mean't and mean more.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Joe, that's a good point that the timing would have been better when Elvis's image needed more help a few years ago. The only thing is I'm not sure how much the people who bought into all the negative hype (or were doing the hyping themselves) would have paid attention to such a positive book, since there were others out back then which got ignored. But then again they may have since he co-authored What Happened.

Jill, that image you posted reminded me of this...Any of you seen the August issue of Vogue magazine with Priscilla, Lisa, and Riley gracing the cover? The feature on them has some really nice pics and is an interesting read.

[mfuzzy]

To me it's just sad to think about all of that stuff. I've been a fan since the seventies and read all the books and seen all the movies. What interests me now is the music. I just love to hear the man sing, period. He's the greatest entertainer that ever lived. He gave all he had to give and his life has always been an open book. I think it's time to put all of that stuff away and focus on his legacy which is the music!

[Albert]

I don't think Elvis' life was a personal book. We know so little about the real Elvis. Everything we know is what other people told us. But what do we really know?

For example: we don't even know what Elvis found of his own jumpsuits. What his feelings were about being a 40+ guy still wearing them. Why he used so many new suits from 1970-1974, but starting using the same few more and more during the final years (instead of making new ones)? We only know what Esposito or Charlie Hodge know about it, but we aren't sure.

Nowadays we know much more about artists. All huge stars have had endless interviews about personal things, good documentaries, etc. But we don't have things like that from Elvis. We can only believe what others (MM, friends, relatives, etc) wants us to believe.

[richardo316]

i personally have never read and don't own that book. i never will read it either. i will never buy it. it's a travesty that they even wrote it to begin with. the only reason they wrote it was o make money, not help elvis as they claim.

[paulsweeney]

I did read the book when it first came out and was in total shock, and found much of it hard to believe. I was not a big fan of Red, Sonny or Dave. However, in 2002 I had a chance to meet Sonny West, and had a long chat with him over a steak dinner in Memphis, and even he is remoursful over the book, and how it came out - the end product was not what they thought it would be. If you have an opportunity to meet Sonny and talk to him , you will come away with a different perspective on the man. He is truly a gentle man, very caring, and loved Elvis very much. I know he is working on a new book, that I'm sure will be a great read, and will be enjoyed by many fans.

[richardo316]

i hope it is paul. i'm sure he is remorseful now, but you can't change what they did.