(Tommy Devito, Alan Fortas, Bob Luman)


EIN had plenty of suggestions from fans and friends of Elvis as to who was the unknown character in the photo taken at the end of 1957, in Elvis' early days at Graceland. These included from Elvis collector Paul Lichter who believed it was a young Alan Fortas.

There is a resemblance, however Fortas' close friends Marty Lacker & Lamar Fike do not agree. They think it was most likely "someone who worked on the house when it was being decorated".

Other interesting suggestions were performer Bob Luman, or even Tommy Devito from 'The Four Seasons'.

EIN also discovered that one of our favourite Elvis publications, the UK magazine 'Essential Elvis' had run this same query in the past and that the strongest lead was from Elvis super-fan Tony Stuchbury. While in Memphis Stuchbury saw the photo on display with the information that the man was in fact a car salesman from downtown Memphis, probably from one of the dealerships on Union Aves. He hopes to re-confirm his facts when he visits Memphis later this year.

Coincidentaly EEUK Editor Andrew Hearn also informs us that he has an immaculate colour version of the same photo which will be featured in the forthcoming MRS 'Graceland' book.


2008/05/24 www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com