Elvis: Up Close And Personal With Sonny West.

[Jungleroom76]

I'm afraid Mike has fallen for the BS.
Sonny's had 30 years to practice .

In another post, Col. Jon Burrows states his opinion that the West's were trying to do the right thing, but went about it the wrong way and I think that is probably where my opinion lies on this matter as well.

While I certainly don't think that writing ELVIS: WHAT HAPPENED was the way to go about things, I certainly can understand why they felt they needed to do that at the time....between losing their jobs the way they did and what Elvis was doing to himself, it was certainly a difficult situation all the way around. Am I condoning what the West's did? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! I certainly think there could have been a much better solution to the whole situation...

And I really think that Sonny regrets what happened as a result of the book. So am I falling for the "BS" as cameron suggests? I guess that is up to everyone's opinion, but after watching the DVD, I do have to say that I truly think Sonny is sorry for what happened and that he really did (and still does to this day) love Elvis!

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

Mike I love that GK avator of yours.
Very classy

THANKS COLONEL!!!

As I have said before in other threads (and yes I know it is slightly off topic here), as much as GK gets his stories confused from time to time and I think he gives himself a little too much credit for some of the things in Elvis' life, GK seems very genuine to me in his love for Elvis and I do enjoy listening to his show on Sunday nights on Sirius Satellite Radio!

TCB!
Mike

[Unchained Melody]

And I really think that Sonny regrets what happened as a result of the book. So am I falling for the "BS" as cameron suggests? I guess that is up to everyone's opinion, but after watching the DVD, I do have to say that I truly think Sonny is sorry for what happened and that he really did (and still does to this day) love Elvis!

Don't worry buddy i'm right there along side of ya on this matter

[TotallyInsane]

This was after Elvis died! Sorry but I don't see any love in Sunny's eyes or hear it in his voice!

[YT]qkWds8YuCAU[/YT]

[Jungleroom76]

Don't worry buddy i'm right there along side of ya on this matter

Thanks pal!!! Obviously this is a hot button topic and everyone has a clear-cut opinion one way or the other on it, so I appreciate your support for our side!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Unchained Melody]

Thanks pal!!! Obviously this is a hot button topic and everyone has a clear-cut opinion one way or the other on it, so I appreciate your support for our side!!!

TCB!
Mike

Anytime Bro

By the way, have you gotten the latest Straight Arrow release Royal Gambit In Richfield, I got mine today buddy and its definitley an essential concert 1976 style !! As I know you like me are a big fan of the later years!!

[Jungleroom76]

Anytime Bro

By the way, have you gotten the latest Straight Arrow release Royal Gambit In Richfield, I got mine today buddy and its definitley an essential concert 1976 style !! As I know you like me are a big fan of the later years!!

Nope, not yet....finances have been a little snug around here lately, but it is definitely on my MUST HAVE list!!

TCB!
Mike

[Unchained Melody]

Nope, not yet....finances have been a little snug around here lately, but it is definitely on my MUST HAVE list!!

TCB!
Mike

Please when you do get the chance to get it post your review on here I love reading your thoughts on these concerts from the later years which never get the respect they deserve IMO!!!
And the thing that makes this one really special to me is its my first Import ever!!!

[cameron]

This was after Elvis died! Sorry but I don't see any love in Sunny's eyes or hear it in his voice!

[YT]qkWds8YuCAU[/YT]

This is the interview I'll always remember ! IF one of my kids ever did this to one of their friends, I'd whip their *** !! They just weren't raised this way and I sure wasn't either ! Forgiveness is Gods department. I'll let Him decide, I'm just human and never saw they were sorry enough for me to forgive them.{ I also doubt they're losing any sleep over me not liking them }

[Jungleroom76]

Please when you do get the chance to get it post your review on here I love reading your thoughts on these concerts from the later years which never get the respect they deserve IMO!!!
And the thing that makes this one really special to me is its my first Import ever!!!

Will do Jon...and thanks for the kind words about my reviews! I am so glad you enjoy reading them!!

CONGRATULATIONS on receiving your first import CD....here's to MANY MORE for your collection!!!

TCB!
Mike

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I agree with both of you, and here again it's all wrapped up in our ages. There is still a generation gap, I guess there always will be. I think that the younger people of today don't put as much emphasis on certain things like we did, such as morals. It doesn't seem like anything is a big deal. Much the way they enter into marriage with the attitude of oh well...if it doesn't work out we'll just get a divorce. It baffles me as to why no one seems to think that what the West's did was just plain ole' wrong.

I disagree with your sweeping statement. I am 39 years of age have been married to my wife for 12 years, we have been seeing each other for 18 years. I value my close friends and consider myself to have morals.

From experience I have learned that friends you grew up with can drift apart even after 20 years. Its sad but as time goes by you find that your hopes, dreams and aspirations change. Friends lives change, common interests change. On the other hand I have a friend of more than 20 years who I see frequently and love like a brother. I have a friend I have only known for 4 years who I would trust with my life implicitly.

Its too easy to generalize and perhaps a little elitist. We know what the West's did was wrong, however surely we should be a little more Christian in our attitudes. To err is human, to forgive devine.......

[Unchained Melody]

Will do Jon...and thanks for the kind words about my reviews! I am so glad you enjoy reading them!!

CONGRATULATIONS on receiving your first import CD....here's to MANY MORE for your collection!!!

TCB!
Mike

Thanks Mike !!

[franny]

I think when EWH was written, it was written out of anger and emotions were out of control! We can't judge, we were not in his shoes...I think Sonny regrets writing the book, but he can't take it back. People do make mistakes!

I believe Sonny loves Elvis! Elvis thought enough of Sonny, to have him around for 19 years, then that says a lot, as well. Just my opinion...

franny

[Unchained Melody]

I think when EWH was written, it was written out of anger and emotions were out of control! We can't judge, we were not in his shoes...I think Sonny regrets writing the book, but he can't take it back. People do make mistakes!

I believe Sonny loves Elvis! If Elvis thought enough of him, to have him around for 19 years, then that says a lot, as well. Just my opinion...

franny

I think thats alot of the reason as to why Red West isn't really in the public eye among Elvis fans as he probably regrets it now looking bad and I give him a thumbs up for that..if you listen to the phone conversation from ocotober 1976 he had with Elvis says it all really..

[cameron]

On the other hand I have a friend of more than 20 years who I see frequently and love like a brother. I have a friend I have only known for 4 years who I would trust with my life implicitly.
.....

I am not trying to be smart here . But, what if it was your friend you loved like a brother , or the one you'd trust with your life told all your dirty little secrets ? Then might you understand why some feel it was just too much from the Wests?
Perhaps not. But, I admit, I would not be that good at forgiving if someone did that to me.
IMO, there would never have been as close a relationship as I imagined .

[utmom2008]

This was after Elvis died! Sorry but I don't see any love in Sunny's eyes or hear it in his voice!

I never could find it either Gail. Will you please let me know when you locate some of it???

[utmom2008]

This is ALWAYS a hot topic, and something that's not going to change anytime soon. I have figured out this much though.....take a look at the age division. It seems that 99% of us that were of a decent age in 1977 can NOT stand them. By the same token....99% of those that were too young to read the book in 1977 or weren't born yet feel it's time to forgive and forget. Me??? I fall into the older crowd of course.

I agree with both of you, and here again it's all wrapped up in our ages. There is still a generation gap, I guess there always will be. I think that the younger people of today don't put as much emphasis on certain things like we did, such as morals. It doesn't seem like anything is a big deal. Much the way they enter into marriage with the attitude of oh well...if it doesn't work out we'll just get a divorce. It baffles me as to why no one seems to think that what the West's did was just plain ole' wrong.

I disagree with your sweeping statement. I am 39 years of age have been married to my wife for 12 years, we have been seeing each other for 18 years. I value my close friends and consider myself to have morals.

From experience I have learned that friends you grew up with can drift apart even after 20 years. Its sad but as time goes by you find that your hopes, dreams and aspirations change. Friends lives change, common interests change. On the other hand I have a friend of more than 20 years who I see frequently and love like a brother. I have a friend I have only known for 4 years who I would trust with my life implicitly.

Its too easy to generalize and perhaps a little elitist. We know what the West's did was wrong, however surely we should be a little more Christian in our attitudes. To err is human, to forgive devine.......

I still stand by my original stance. IMO.....99% of the time our opinions on wether or not the West's were scumbags comes down to the age difference. Yes...I realize that friendships change through the years. I also know that you can be best friends with someone for 25 years and in a heartbeat...they dump you. But..that's not what I'm referring to with my statement. All I have to do here at TCB is take a look at the age groups...and 99% of the time the older fans think they are scumbags.

[Merry]

I still stand by my original stance. IMO.....99% of the time our opinions on wether or not the West's were scumbags comes down to the age difference. Yes...I realize that friendships change through the years. I also know that you can be best friends with someone for 25 years and in a heartbeat...they dump you. But..that's not what I'm referring to with my statement. All I have to do here at TCB is take a look at the age groups...and 99% of the time the older fans think they are scumbags.

I'm an honourary older fan

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I am not trying to be smart here . But, what if it was your friend you loved like a brother , or the one you'd trust with your life told all your dirty little secrets ? Then might you understand why some feel it was just too much from the Wests?
Perhaps not. But, I admit, I would not be that good at forgiving if someone did that to me.
IMO, there would never have been as close a relationship as I imagined .

Your absolutely 100% right I wouldn't be happy. However I certainly wouldn't expect people who didn't know them to judge them, It simply isn't their place to do so!

Its fine not to like them but unhealthy to carry this on over 30 odd years.

I still stand by my original stance. IMO.....99% of the time our opinions on wether or not the West's were scumbags comes down to the age difference. Yes...I realize that friendships change through the years. I also know that you can be best friends with someone for 25 years and in a heartbeat...they dump you. But..that's not what I'm referring to with my statement. All I have to do here at TCB is take a look at the age groups...and 99% of the time the older fans think they are scumbags.

You can certainly have your opinion. We should debate why we feel differently about the West's! We may never find a common ground? I believe the argument you are using to state your position is flawed, you said....

I think that the younger people of today don't put as much emphasis on certain things like we did, such as morals.

IMO that comment is a generalization and you are attacking the person(s) not the debate. What you are doing is appealing to a group of fans who think In a similar way by way of emotional rhetoric. I could generalize that older fans are less likely to be objective, that the younger generation is more forgiving than the last, but that wouldn't be true.

You are judging a person(s) character based on their opposition to a certain thought process, undermining an age group and singling it out for ridicule without foundation.

I'm not falling out with anyone about it because in the end it won't change anything

[TotallyInsane]

I still stand by my original stance. IMO.....99% of the time our opinions on wether or not the West's were scumbags comes down to the age difference. Yes...I realize that friendships change through the years. I also know that you can be best friends with someone for 25 years and in a heartbeat...they dump you. But..that's not what I'm referring to with my statement. All I have to do here at TCB is take a look at the age groups...and 99% of the time the older fans think they are scumbags.

And, there are those friends that can be friends for 30 years without seeing or talking to each other and never once spill their guts!!!