Elvis and the hippie generation

[keke23]

I just saw a documentary on vh1 about drug years of the 60's and 70's.

They were showin how bazaar and crazy folks were actin while on LSD.

They showed Elvis with Nixon as well.

I know Elvis did drugs and it led to his death. But he didn't do those types of heavy street drugs from what's been reported. He got addicted to prescribed drugs by his doctor.

Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin were the leaders of the drug world and they all died from it. But no one comes down on them for dyin from a drug OD as they do Elvis.

The Beatles were the main cause of the drug revolution and admitted to doin LSD. They showed Paul McCartney braggin about it from an old interview in the 60's.

Why is it okay for the media today to use the drug issue as a way to tear down Elvis but glorify crackheads like Hendrix and Joplin back then to today's top stars like Snoop Dog who uses drugs as a daily routine?

[Tony Trout]

I know Elvis did drugs and it led to his death. But he didn't do those types of heavy street drugs from what's been reported. He got addicted to prescribed drugs by his doctor.

He might have been prescribed certain drugs by his doctors (there were others besides Dr. Nick supplying Elvis with what he wanted) but the other stuff he was taking (specifically Dilaudid and Demerol and liquid cocaine) were reportedly given to him in amounts only used by terminal cancer patients..and no he did not have cancer. He had no business taking what he did. He took a lot of the stuff he took because he liked the "buzz" it gave him and if he didn't get what he wanted, he'd just go somewhere else.

As Dr. Nick stated in June or July of '73:

"I don't think Elvis is a medical addict anymore. I think he's a hard addict".

I think (and I may be wrong) the reason that the drug usage of Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison doesn't get as much coverage is because it seems that they covered their drug usage well and kept it from the media. The MM tried to also hide Elvis's drug usage but it became harder and harder for them to do by the time 1977 rolled around.

[KPM]

He might have been prescribed certain drugs by his doctors (there were others besides Dr. Nick supplying Elvis with what he wanted) but the other stuff he was taking (specifically Dilaudid and Demerol and liquid cocaine) were reportedly given to him in amounts only used by terminal cancer patients..and no he did not have cancer. He had no business taking what he did. He took a lot of the stuff he took because he liked the "buzz" it gave him and if he didn't get what he wanted, he'd just go somewhere else.

As Dr. Nick stated in June or July of '73:

"I don't think Elvis is a medical addict anymore. I think he's a hard addict".
I think (and I may be wrong) the reason that the drug usage of Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison doesn't get as much coverage is because it seems that they covered their drug usage well and kept it from the media. The MM tried to also hide Elvis's drug usage but it became harder and harder for them to do by the time 1977 rolled around.

As far as Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison-I don't think from what I recall about those years that it was hid. Pretty much everyone knew they were using the drugs. Morrison and Joplin were stoned many times on stage. Joplin had a terrible problem with alcohol also.

[Tony Trout]

As far as Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison-I don't think from what I recall about those years that it was hid. Pretty much everyone knew they were using the drugs. Morrison and Joplin were stoned many times on stage. Joplin had a terrible problem with alcohol also.

Everyone knew, that's true. But did the media give it as much press coverage as they did and still do about Elvis's drug use?

[franny]

Everyone knew, that's true. But did the media give it as much press coverage as they did and still do about Elvis's drug use?

No, true the media doesn't. It could also be because Elvis was/is more popular.

franny

[KPM]

Everyone knew, that's true. But did the media give it as much press coverage as they did and still do about Elvis's drug use?

Most mainstream media in the 60s and 70s gave very little press to rock stars. I do not recall a lot of talk in the press about Elvis possibly having a drug problem until 76 and 77-and then it seems it was veiled references like "whats wrong with Elvis". The other 3 were all dead by then from drug overdoses. But I do recall the mention of possible drug use by those 3 in the late 60s in places like Rolling Stone and Crawdaddy magazines.

[utmom2008]

As far as Hendrix, Joplin and Morrison-I don't think from what I recall about those years that it was hid. Pretty much everyone knew they were using the drugs. Morrison and Joplin were stoned many times on stage. Joplin had a terrible problem with alcohol also.

No one was surprised to know that those rock stars were using drugs...it more or less came with the territory. Elvis, on the other hand, had that squeaky clean image that had been molded over years and years....

[cameron]

Yes, it was kind of a badge they wore ; Joplin and others. Like "we're so cool." I remember all the talk about them.


Here's something else Dr Nick had to say, not so long ago.

http://www.essentialelvis.com/Interviews_DrNick.htm

[SeeSeeRider777]

I think it is terrible that Elvis is mainly the one torn down about the drugs. There were others. They overlooked so many good things he did, never mentioning that, just the drugs. I know that it happened and yes it should be reported but at least talk about the good things about the man, not just the drugs. It is terrible that Elvis died so young, he had so much to live for, so many great films and songs he could have done. But it was his choice and he payed the ultimate price. Maybe if the people around him cared more, instead caring more about riding the gravy train. His father IMO was the only one who could have really put his foot down and helped him. He should have told Elvis if you dont try to get off of this stuff I am going to go to the press. Then if he agreed they should have detoxed him in the house and make him go cold turkey. I think Elvis could have handled that because look at what he did to get into amazing shape for Aloha.

[jak]

The other performers mentioned all died at the peak of sucess.They were still near the top of their game when the drugs killed them.As previously stated these people really didnt have an image that would contradict their lifestyle.
Elvis' situation was totally different.He constructed his own world around him that was cloaked in secrecy.His image of the shy all american boy was painstakingly worked at.Furthermore Elvis allowed the drugs to slowly destroy him for all to see.His addiction turned his charmed life into a train wreck.The facts that finally came out about his life were absolutely shocking especially since it was Elvis.Many feel he should have been above that kind of situation and still dont accept it.Unfortunately many fans still try to expalin his addiction away because they cant accept it happened to him.
Jak

[franny]

The other performers mentioned all died at the peak of sucess.They were still near the top of their game when the drugs killed them.As previously stated these people really didnt have an image that would contradict their lifestyle.
Elvis' situation was totally different.He constructed his own world around him that was cloaked in secrecy.His image of the shy all american boy was painstakingly worked at.Furthermore Elvis allowed the drugs to slowly destroy him for all to see.His addiction turned his charmed life into a train wreck.The facts that finally came out about his life were absolutely shocking especially since it was Elvis.Many feel he should have been above that kind of situation and still dont accept it.Unfortunately many fans still try to expalin his addiction away because they cant accept it happened to him. Jak

Great post, jak!! Very true!
Also, I think a lot of fans make excuses for Elvis' addiction because they want to blame "someone" other than Elvis, for his own addiction..

franny

[cameron]

The other performers mentioned all died at the peak of sucess.They were still near the top of their game when the drugs killed them.As previously stated these people really didnt have an image that would contradict their lifestyle.
Elvis' situation was totally different.He constructed his own world around him that was cloaked in secrecy.His image of the shy all american boy was painstakingly worked at.Furthermore Elvis allowed the drugs to slowly destroy him for all to see.His addiction turned his charmed life into a train wreck.The facts that finally came out about his life were absolutely shocking especially since it was Elvis.Many feel he should have been above that kind of situation and still dont accept it.Unfortunately many fans still try to expalin his addiction away because they cant accept it happened to him.
Jak

Sorry, I disagree.
The other performers did create their image on their own, but people were still shocked and upset when they died.

We fans helped create Elvis' image.It wasn't all him.

I've never met an Elvis fan that denied Elvis has problems with Prescription meds. From the old to the very new. They strive to know all they can about him. But, they accept him as human and with faults, just like all of us.

[EP75]

The other performers mentioned all died at the peak of sucess.They were still near the top of their game when the drugs killed them.As previously stated these people really didnt have an image that would contradict their lifestyle.
Elvis' situation was totally different.He constructed his own world around him that was cloaked in secrecy.His image of the shy all american boy was painstakingly worked at.Furthermore Elvis allowed the drugs to slowly destroy him for all to see.His addiction turned his charmed life into a train wreck.The facts that finally came out about his life were absolutely shocking especially since it was Elvis.Many feel he should have been above that kind of situation and still dont accept it.Unfortunately many fans still try to expalin his addiction away because they cant accept it happened to him.
Jak

I don't think the fans are trying to act as if he never had a problem or addiction to drugs. I think the biggest issue is the Memphis Mafia and their manipulations that they do on the fans. They paint EP as the evil drug crazed maniac that lived to get high while they tried to stop the train wreck but that it was out of control. The truth is that the Mafia added more to the problem of his addiction by controlling him and not getting him help. Any fan or any human who can't see that is complete in denial or simply insane. That's where the blame should be. Not at the fans.

[EP75]

[/B]

Sorry, I disagree.
The other performers did create their image on their own, but people were still shocked and upset when they died.

We fans helped create Elvis' image.It wasn't all him.

I've never met an Elvis fan that denied Elvis has problems with Prescription meds. From the old to the very new. They strive to know all they can about him. But, they accept him as human and with faults, just like all of us.

Exactly. What makes the experience at Graceland so touching is that you see this young humble man come up out of nowhere through poverty and change pop culture. But at the end the story drastically changes from the start to finish. That's why when you see the grave you want to cry in pure pitty for the man.

[EP75]

He might have been prescribed certain drugs by his doctors (there were others besides Dr. Nick supplying Elvis with what he wanted) but the other stuff he was taking (specifically Dilaudid and Demerol and liquid cocaine) were reportedly given to him in amounts only used by terminal cancer patients..and no he did not have cancer. He had no business taking what he did. He took a lot of the stuff he took because he liked the "buzz" it gave him and if he didn't get what he wanted, he'd just go somewhere else.

As Dr. Nick stated in June or July of '73:

"I don't think Elvis is a medical addict anymore. I think he's a hard addict".

.

Of course this is only hearsay as none of us were there to know the truth of what really happened behind the gates of Graceland. I take whatever the Mafia (Lamar, Marty, and Sonny) says with a grain of salt. They were very bitter at EP when they wrote Elvis-What Happened.

When did Dr. Nick make that statement? I can't see him saying this publicly and EP letting him get away with it without firing him. That would have been too detrimental to his image.

[utmom2008]

I don't think the fans are trying to act as if he never had a problem or addiction to drugs.

Actually....there are fans on this board that have on blinders and will deny that he had any sort of addiction problems.

[utmom2008]

I take whatever the Mafia (Lamar, Marty, and Sonny) says with a grain of salt. They were very bitter at EP when they wrote Elvis-What Happened

.


Sonny is the only one of the 3 that you mention that had a hand in writing "Elvis-What Happened." It was written by Sonny West, Red West and Dave Hebler....

[EP75]

Actually....there are fans on this board that have on blinders and will deny that he had any sort of addiction problems.

Well that's just crazy. Anyone with eyes can see that he had a serious problem. I guess some fans just want to believe what they want just to save them less pain. But denial is just as bad as a substance.

[EP75]

[/I].


Sonny is the only one of the 3 that you mention that had a hand in writing "Elvis-What Happened." It was written by Sonny West, Red West and Dave Hebler....

Marty may nto have taken part in the book. But he has stabbed EP in tha back by attacking him as he did on the E True Hollywood Story. Dave Hebbler was the other one. I don't know if he was a member of the Memphis Mafia or not but he did take part in the book. Here's the interview that they did that was in This is Elvis. http://youtube.com/watch?v=qkWds8YuCAU

[Diane]

Okay so Elvis' addiction was kept secret and what did that accomplish? Not turning a lot of his fans onto drugs as every other entertainer did. In doing it that way, he at least did some good for some of them. Can you imagine how many kids and young adults would have followed him if he had said drugs were cool? Let's give him a little credit for that.

Diane