Red west interview

[presley31]

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/inte...red_west.shtml

Not sure if this has been posted before

[Unchained Melody]

Bring out the knights in shining armor!

[cameron]

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/inte...red_west.shtml

Not sure if this has been posted before

I just read this, Jen.IMO, this was a great interview !
I wish he'd did this a long time ago. I think Red did a much better interview than any of the others.

{No, I don't forgive him, because he never said he was sorry.
I never said what they wrote in EWH were lies . To me, it's just not something a friend would do..}

[Getlo]

No, I don't forgive him

Neither you, nor anyone on here, has the right or privilege to "forgive" Red West, as he did nothing to you.

Neither you, nor anyone on here, has the right to bear a grudge or hold negative feelings towards anyone in the Elvis world because they did nothing to you.

Elvis would have been the first to forgive Red. You do not have that right.

[cameron]

Neither you, nor anyone on here, has the right or privilege to "forgive" Red West, as he did nothing to you.

Neither you, nor anyone on here, has the right to bear a grudge or hold negative feelings towards anyone in the Elvis world because they did nothing to you.

Elvis would have been the first to forgive Red. You do not have that right.

I can do as I please. Same as anyone else !
I've never claimed to be as "forgiving" as Elvis.
It does get old having others put words into my mouth I never said!

[presley31]

Nice interview by red.

[cameron]

Nice interview by red.

I agree, Jen !! It's one I enjoyed over and above all others from that direction.

[ehollier]

Red West said in his interview that the book, Elvis, What Happened? contained 90% positive memories of his and Sonny's relationship with Elvis. I read this book very recently because I couldn't understand what all of the debate and controversy was about. I came to the conclusion that the book wasn't anything extraordinary but contained far more positive aspects of the relationship of Red, Sonny and Elvis than negative. The book certainly revealed some very unsavory stories that made me uncomfortable, but most of the book was positive and, at times, funny.

I believe that what made this book leave such a lasting negative impact on Elvis' fans and his legacy was its unfortunate timing of release. Had Elvis not died so close to its release, then maybe the book wouldn't have such a negative impression and would be remembered differently. However, Getlo pointed out in another thread, no one has come forward to discredit either Red or Sonny. Many, in fact, retell some of the same stories that are contained in Elvis, What Happened?, negative and postive.

We can only assume what Elvis 'would have done' had he lived longer. Some believe that he would have extended forgiveness to Red and Sonny. Some believe he would gotten the help he so desperately needed. Some believe that he would have outright denied any wrong doing. Some believe that he would have taken Red and Sonny back into the MM.

Whatever Elvis 'would have done', we will never really know. He wasn't, by all accounts, forthcoming with his innermost thoughts and feelings and the incredible quanties of drugs that he consumed, certainly impacted his, already complex, personality. I hate cliches, but history is what it is. It's not always perfect, it's not always pretty, it is just what it is.

[CRITTERGITTER]

If that's loving someone, please don't love me. Red says there was no one and no where to put him to get help. So why did writing a book make sense. What did he expect to accomplish except to add to the stress of the situation.

As my friend Danny says, Not until Elvis himself comes and tells me to forgive him.

[cameron]

Their words, " It was done out of bitterness and hurt."
Add to " We were broke." Toward the end; "we wanted to help Elvis."
I'm sure it was all of the above .

Although it's not nearly as bad as some think---IMO, it wasn't something I'd do for my best friend either !

[presley31]

I not going to put down anybody but writing a book couldn't save anybody. You can't help a man that doesn't want help.

[utmom2008]

Red West said in his interview that the book, Elvis, What Happened? contained 90% positive memories of his and Sonny's relationship with Elvis. The book certainly revealed some very unsavory stories that made me uncomfortable, but most of the book was positive and, at times, funny.

I believe that what made this book leave such a lasting negative impact on Elvis' fans and his legacy was its unfortunate timing of release. Had Elvis not died so close to its release, then maybe the book wouldn't have such a negative impression and would be remembered differently.

We can only assume what Elvis 'would have done' had he lived longer. Some believe that he would have extended forgiveness to Red and Sonny. Some believe he would gotten the help he so desperately needed. Some believe that he would have outright denied any wrong doing. Some believe that he would have taken Red and Sonny back into the MM.

Whatever Elvis 'would have done', we will never really know. He wasn't, by all accounts, forthcoming with his innermost thoughts and feelings and the incredible quanties of drugs that he consumed, certainly impacted his, already complex, personality. I hate cliches, but history is what it is. It's not always perfect, it's not always pretty, it is just what it is.

We have Red West basically taking credit for the stories that are told in EWH. Then...there have been many times on this board that others speak out and say......Red and Sonny didn't really tell all of those things in that manner. The stories were embellished by Steve Dunleavy..... I bet at some point and time Dunleavy wants to just scream. Who's story was it???? The West boys, or Dunleavy's???
What many will NEVER understand about the book(though no fault of their own) is what times were like in 1977. YES...YES...YES, nowdays it's NO BIG DEAL. OK..we know that!! It was different then. I can not get on here and argue with people about what it was like to be a teenager in 1956...I don't know...I WAS NOT there. And...no, being 8 years old, 9, 10..whatever, is not the same thing as being an adult in 1977.

[ehollier]

We have Red West basically taking credit for the stories that are told in EWH. Then...there have been many times on this board that others speak out and say......Red and Sonny didn't really tell all of those things in that manner. The stories were embellished by Steve Dunleavy..... I bet at some point and time Dunleavy wants to just scream. Who's story was it???? The West boys, or Dunleavy's???
What many will NEVER understand about the book(though no fault of their own) is what times were like in 1977. YES...YES...YES, nowdays it's NO BIG DEAL. OK..we know that!! It was different then. I can not get on here and argue with people about what it was like to be a teenager in 1956...I don't know...I WAS NOT there. And...no, being 8 years old, 9, 10..whatever, is not the same thing as being an adult in 1977.

I can't argue with you on this. The generations in which we grew up certainly have help shaped our view of history. That can be said of every generation. Because Elvis is such a passionate subject, he does not escape from such debate. I certainly respect your opinion that from an adult's standpoint in 1977 would differ greatly from a child's perspective in 1977.

[utmom2008]

I can't argue with you on this. The generations in which we grew up certainly have help shaped our view of history. That can be said of every generation. Because Elvis is such a passionate subject, he does not escape from such debate. I certainly respect your opinion that from an adult's standpoint in 1977 would differ greatly from a child's perspective in 1977.

Thanks...I sure don't mean to put anyone down about that either. None of us can change our age(some try!!!) or the era that we came of age in. It's still hard for me to imagine why his "jiggling" was a big deal in 1956.., but obviously, it was.

[ehollier]

Thanks...I sure don't mean to put anyone down about that either. None of us can change our age(some try!!!) or the era that we came of age in. It's still hard for me to imagine why his "jiggling" was a big deal in 1956.., but obviously, it was.

I don't have the answer to that, but he could sure turn it on when he got up there.

[utmom2008]

I can't argue with you on this. The generations in which we grew up certainly have help shaped our view of history. That can be said of every generation. Because Elvis is such a passionate subject, he does not escape from such debate. I certainly respect your opinion that from an adult's standpoint in 1977 would differ greatly from a child's perspective in 1977.

I don't know what made me think of this, but it's a prime example of how different things were in the 70's. There was a new show on ABC which premiered in 1977 that was a HUGE hit, even though for the "times" it was considered very controversial. It was the first time that any of us really knew who Billy Crystal was. The show was called SOAP, and Billy Crystal's character was gay. The show really was funny....and everyone tuned in to watch it since having a gay character on TV was unchartered territory. Now that's how far things have come.

[ehollier]

I don't know what made me think of this, but it's a prime example of how different things were in the 70's. There was a new show on ABC which premiered in 1977 that was a HUGE hit, even though for the "times" it was considered very controversial. It was the first time that any of us really knew who Billy Crystal was. The show was called SOAP, and Billy Crystal's character was gay. The show really was funny....and everyone tuned in to watch it since having a gay character on TV was unchartered territory. Now that's how far things have come.

I remember that show, but my parents wouldn't let me watch it. It was very 'mature' audiences which my adults and not something for a 10 or 11 year old.

[utmom2008]

I remember that show, but my parents wouldn't let me watch it. It was very 'mature' audiences which my adults and not something for a 10 or 11 year old.

That's just what I mean. I saw an old episode not long ago on some channel...and the only risque thing about it was using the word "gay". Now we have gay characters actually kissing on ABC's daytime TV.

[presley31]

That's just what I mean. I saw an old episode not long ago on some channel...and the only risque thing about it was using the word "gay". Now we have gay characters actually kissing on ABC's daytime TV.

yes l noticed that too. As the world turns has gay guys on there kissing, kinda makes me want to change the channel, but to each is there own(not this girl)

[utmom2008]

but to each is there own(not this girl)

Yes....I agree with you. You may run into the same troubles that my niece does however. She has 4 year old twin boys...so they have LOTS of questions when they flip from BARNEY to that.