Elvis' Mother

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I often hear people comment that Elvis never really got over the death of his mother! I am at a loss as to why people would use this in a statement.

Perhaps they think his sad demise was partly to blame for his untimely death?

Perhaps they think if she was still around he wouldn't have taken drugs?

Perhaps they think he spent a lot of time brooding about her passing?

I'm not sure anybody really gets over the loss of someone very close and important in their life, however from what I can ascertain from Elvis' life, yes he suffered like most people do, but he seemed to get on with his life just as Vernon did.

I don't see people link the successes in Elvis' life to his mother.

The fact that Elvis' life was cut short seems to me not directly linked to the loss of his mother

So I guess what I would like to know is why do people think he never got over the loss of his mother and was this loss any more fundamental than anybody who has lost their mother?

[SleepyJack]

I don`t think his mothers death can be directly seen as the reason for his early death or anything quite so dramatic as that.....nor do I think he was in some way obsessive about his mother,as many people have said over the years....I do think however that her death did have a huge impact on him as a person and on the person he became eventually....on his attitude to death and even to life..as it does with many people.I think many of his insecurities and fears began when he lost Gladys and with it her strength and support.

[Donut]

I have no idea why some think it was that way either but I have noticed that many fans have constructed their ideal Elvis based on their own needs (not exclusively in this matter)... I don´t know if it makes sense to you but that´s what I think.

[Getlo]

I often hear people comment that Elvis never really got over the death of his mother! I am at a loss as to why people would use this in a statement.

As am I.

As I have said previously, one never gets fully over the death of a parent. But you find a way through it, so that it becomes a regrettable but natural part of your own existence.

Elvis, quite clearly, found that. How else could he have moved on to the later part of his life and career, which was - for the most part - filled with success and general happiness?

Elvis died nineteen years after Gladys. Yes, it was an awful blow, but one from which he recovered eventually.

[presley31]

Elvis losing his mother was very hard on him, but i don't really think it has much to do with elvis death. Elvis was taking gladys pills when she was alive so I don't really know if gladys know about that at the time, but l do believe if she lived she might have more control over his drug use and maybe she might of been the only person who could of stood up to her son and made him listern.

[Diane]

I voted no. I agree, I don't think the death of his mother had anything to do with his own death. I think he took his mother's death very hard but he did get through it. You never stop missing a loved one but time does help.

Diane

[Kentucky Rain]

He was born in the belly of the country
Over east of Eden
Confused by the big city blues
He didn't know whose life he's leading
Put yourself behind the wheel
See if you can get that feel
Move faster by night
Move faster by night
The windows were all shattered
And the body was all battered

American Roulette
Stake your life upon it
American Roulette
Same eyes, same eyes
American Roulette

Take that body and put him in a mansion
Paint the window black
Give him all the women that he wants
Put a monkey on his back
All of your so called friends
Take you where the sidewalk ends
Can't sleep at night
Can't sleep at night
Lord please save his soul
He was the king of Rock and Roll

American Roulette
Stake your life upon it
American Roulette
Same eyes, same eyes
American Roulette

They said she didn't have a chance in hell
For the American Dream
There's a thousand young blondes out there
Trying to make it to the silver screen
She had the walk, the look, the talk
That shook the world (Read about it)
Some like it hot
Some like it cool
Too much to her to handle
Another scandal, she burnt the candle

American Roulette
Stake your life upon it
American Roulette
Same eyes, same eyes
American Roulette

Say a prayer for the lost generation
Who spin the wheel out of desperation

American Roulette
Stake your life upon it
American Roulette
Same eyes, same eyes
American Roulette

I voted yes ..not because he wouldn't/couldn't get over the passing of his mother..but because I think there was lack of guidance from early on. Will never know if Glady's being alive would have changed anything.

The above song describes the thoughts of Robbie Robertson in regards to three artists who passed at an early age.

[Broussey]

The ONLY reason i said yes was because IMO i feel that if she was alive i think she would be the only one to get him off the meds he was taking...... IMO!!!!!!!!!!

Other than that yes you never get over a mothers death i think in that aspect he got through his sadness with the Gospel

[john carpenter]

I voted no..because as other posts state Elvis died 19 years and two days after Gladys. And after she died he had to go back to Germany. I believe he felt the loss more after he returned from the Army in 1960. He had more time to grieve. But he was thrown right back into the movies. Yes, he aventually was able to cope with the loss. But no one really gets over the death of a parent/child. As with Vernon, he died less than two years after Elvis, i think that loss sped up his already failing health.

[Sonny]

I also believe that if his mother had not passed away when she did, she would have been of more influence during the years that followed.

And yes, she might have been the person he would have listened to with regards to his way of life.

But it's just guessing I'm afraid.

I think he got over her death, as most young people do in their own way when a parent passes.

But fact remains, she had more influence over him then Vernon for sure.

Sonny

[kathy parkinson]

As am I.

As I have said previously, one never gets fully over the death of a parent. But you find a way through it, so that it becomes a regrettable but natural part of your own existence.

Elvis, quite clearly, found that. How else could he have moved on to the later part of his life and career, which was - for the most part - filled with success and general happiness?

Elvis died nineteen years after Gladys. Yes, it was an awful blow, but one from which he recovered eventually.

Agree with Getlo, he said everything i would have said, i miss my parents, but i go on with my life, living the way they raised me.

[Kentucky Rain]

I agree that she could have been one who could have helped him with the drug usage as long as he was willing to help himself. I also would like to think she would have encouraged him to "slow down" in all aspects of his living. To be placed (willingly or not) on his schedule (performances, records etc.etc.) at the age of 21 is to me the beginning of a downward spiral. Tho, I've only listened to the music of Elvis for two years or so and have read a few books, my thoughts of how he was treated reminds me of a race~horse...faster..faster..win..win.

He went along with it..probably enjoyed much of it (for a period of time) because he knew no difference afterawhile (age 21 again). I just feel he was exploited.(didn't know what normalcy really was).........which is sad.

[utmom2008]

As am I.

As I have said previously, one never gets fully over the death of a parent. But you find a way through it, so that it becomes a regrettable but natural part of your own existence.

I agree with Getlo on this one. It's a part of life, a natural part that ultimately shapes us as we grow older. After I became a parent I really understood the natural course that should happen. Losing a parent is devastating, but parents that have to bury a child is unthinkable.
Until I married and later had a son, my father and Elvis were the two men that I loved most in the world. They have both been gone a long long time, and I'm sure in some way that has shaped who I am today.

[LianaKaralivanou]

As am I.

As I have said previously, one never gets fully over the death of a parent. But you find a way through it, so that it becomes a regrettable but natural part of your own existence.

Elvis, quite clearly, found that. How else could he have moved on to the later part of his life and career, which was - for the most part - filled with success and general happiness?

Elvis died nineteen years after Gladys. Yes, it was an awful blow, but one from which he recovered eventually.

That's a big day, guys. I COMPLETELY agree with Getlo on this one. I couldn't have said it better myself. I, too lost my father almost 3 years ago and I don't think I got fully over it and maybe I will never get fully over it but somehow I managed to go on with my life. And that's the right thing to do. You mustn't get stuck with the past because you miss the present. And it's not that Elvis died right after his mother's death to say something like that. He died 19 years later for God's sake!

[utmom2008]

You mustn't get stuck with the past because you miss the present. And it's not that Elvis died right after his mother's death to say something like that. He died 19 years later for God's sake!

Well said Liana. My father has been gone a little over 18 years...I can't imagine blaming any of my problems on "never getting past my father's death".

[Diane]

I agree, I lost both my parents at a relatively young age. My mother was only 53 and dad 67...both sudden deaths which were shocking but then I was happy neither suffered. I still miss them every day and there are a lot of times I wish they were still around to share something with....you know the "Mom would have loved this, Dad would have loved that". No doubt Elvis felt the same about his mom.

Diane

[Suspicious Minds]

Elvis is happy with His parents. Even Gladys looks happy.

[Unchained Melody]

Elvis is happy with His parents. Even Gladys looks happy.

Ok and your point is ?

Of course he was able to live without her he went almost 20 years after she died living..so I don't see how you can blame her death for the death of him. Sure he thought about it quiet often and missed her badly but I don't think that killed him...theres so many other reasons to blame for that then Glady's death..I still find Elvis' happiest days was after she died..with the birth of Lisa, coming back in '69 on stage, the Aloha performance etc.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Looking at the results thus far:-

Is Elvis' Loss Of Mother Fundamental To His Death

Yes - 18 Votes

No - 14 Votes

There are clearly a higher percentage of people who believe that Elvis' death was effected by his mothers death.... However the people who have posted in this thread seem to reflect the No vote.

The question you have to ask based on the vote so far is.... How and why did Gladys passing directly contribute to Elvis'?

[Unchained Melody]

Matt I don't think it contributed directly to Elvis' demise but I think it brought him down sometimes in the end of his life when he knew he reached a point there was no return..like in some movies like Kurt Russels Elvis 1979 film where Elvis would talk to his mom and twin brother saying he would be seeing them soon, and how he often said he wouldn't make it long past 40....