What would you ask Sonny West....

[Unchained Melody]

So "Elvis, What Happened?" should have been called "Elvis, What Really Did Happen? Elvis` Bodyguards Side Of The Story. "

They told things the way they seen it happen\ and thats about all they could do imo.I don't think they would make stuff up like that, its just the sad truth that elvis was involved inalot of things that would shock the heck out of people.

[Getlo]

They told things the way they seen it happen\ and thats about all they could do imo.I don't think they would make stuff up like that, its just the sad truth that elvis was involved inalot of things that would shock the heck out of people.

Exactly.

In all the years that some fans have criticised the book, they can never answer one question: what revelations in the book were untrue?

Answer: none of them.

Yes, the book had a salacious feel to it (primarily due to Dunleavy) but, sadly, the antics of Elvis detailed in it were all true.

[Teddy]

You're right, Dunleavy's style contributed to its sensational effect.
The only really controversial thing about E:WH? is the fact that those men revealed those things at that sensitive time.

It's mainly about the timing. The details were sure to emerge at some point anyway.
Reading E:WH? after the Goldman book, for instance, makes it seem rather tasteful and kind.
Much of the content is also covered within the hallowed pages of our beloved Guralnick books too, but no one would ever accuse PG of sensationalism, largely due to the quality and authoritative nature of his writing- but mainly because much of the really scary stuff is now considered established knowledge anyway.

[MissyM]

Yes, Getlo ...I really did need to ask that question. Many seem to make assumptions on Elvis's forgiving because that is the way "he always was". That he'd never change. People do change, people "wise up" in how they've been treated. All in all ..I'll make my own assumption (not written in books). 1. Elvis needed to move on from the manager he had forever, he far outgrew T. Parkers ability 2. Elvis needed to move on from the m/m type of people..3. The moving on should have happened many years prior.....I'll just leave it at that.

___________________________________
See, that's one thing I don't get. People say Elvis should have moved on, he did. There were barely any MM left when he died. So obviously he got rid of many of them. And guess what, he was lonely, sick and even more isolated.
So when I hear this I just want to ask...move on to what???

[Getlo]

There were barely any MM left when he died.

Joe. Charlie. Jerry. Dick etc There were about the usual number. Some were not physically with him, but they were still in his life.

...move on to what???

A life without drugs, for a start. A life without junk food. A career with proper direction, and making better and more relevant music.

[nyc]

See, that's one thing I don't get. People say Elvis should have moved on, he did. There were barely any MM left when he died. So obviously he got rid of many of them. And guess what, he was lonely, sick and even more isolated.
So when I hear this I just want to ask...move on to what???

He had one foot in the grave by 1976. At that point, Elvis eventually killing himself with the drugs was inevitable. He needed a long stay in rehab - and a long stay in a hospital somewhere to deal with his various physical problems - before he could do anything circa 1976.

Now if he'd made some lifestyle changes around 1968, on the other hand, he could have moved on to a new manager, hired professionals to handle his security and business affairs, and maybe spent some time developing relationships with contemporary musicians.

IMO a big part of Elvis' eventual downfall was that his world was so insular.

But then I think the relationship with the MM was adolescent and unhealthy (friends shouldn't be employers, period.).

[presley31]

He had one foot in the grave by 1976. At that point, Elvis eventually killing himself with the drugs was inevitable. He needed a long stay in rehab - and a long stay in a hospital somewhere to deal with his various physical problems - before he could do anything circa 1976.

Now if he'd made some lifestyle changes around 1968, on the other hand, he could have moved on to a new manager, hired professionals to handle his security and business affairs, and maybe spent some time developing relationships with contemporary musicians.

IMO a big part of Elvis' eventual downfall was that his world was so insular.

But then I think the relationship with the MM was adolescent and unhealthy (friends shouldn't be employers, period.).

yep l agree, i wouldn't work for my friends either

[vivalasvegas]

for whatever it's worth , i want to post here that i asked sonny this question: if he had not died, do you think elvis would have kicked the drugs because of the overdose? that it would have scared him? (i said it something like that)
and sonny said: no. only if the white light of God had shown on him and the Lord had spoken in a stern voice to elvis: get off that stuff son, and get yourself straightened out. (something like that)
i took that to mean that no one could have convinced elvis to get off the drugs. only GOD. the answer was not what i expected. (wouldn't a life threatening overdose scare you?) but the answer fully satisfied my question.

sonny is open to any questions. i and my club had plenty of opportunity when he came here to vegas to promote his book (last spring). he is very candid. instead of a lot of conjecture, i really recommend seeing sonny in person, if you get the chance, and say or ask what you will directly to him.

i am seeing sonny tonight , as part of a elvis tribute show here in las vegas. the imperials are singing backup

[MissyM]

Joe. Charlie. Jerry. Dick etc There were about the usual number. Some were not physically with him, but they were still in his life.

Agreed but that is what I meant, not physically and he was alone more often. Had he isolated himself more he would have felt more lonely-kind of like a no win situation with his personality.


A life without drugs, for a start. A life without junk food. A career with proper direction, and making better and more relevant music.

Agreed but I was talking about friends/co-workers only. Because I don't blame the friends for the other stuff you mentioned. And what you say is a big wish that never came to be. Sadly.

[MissyM]

Now if he'd made some lifestyle changes around 1968, on the other hand, he could have moved on to a new manager, hired professionals to handle his security and business affairs, and maybe spent some time developing relationships with contemporary musicians
____________
I doubt professional people (aside from managment) would have worked for what they were getting paid.

[nyc]

I doubt professional people (aside from managment) would have worked for what they were getting paid.

As the saying goes - you get what you pay for, LOL.

And I really don't think the expense of professional security help was beyond Elvis, particularly if he replaced his thief of a manager and hired professional money managers (to replace the preposterously in over his head Vernon).

We are talking about what Elvis could/should have done, and Elvis should have had one of the highest income streams of any musician.

[TotallyInsane]

for whatever it's worth , i want to post here that i asked sonny this question: if he had not died, do you think elvis would have kicked the drugs because of the overdose? that it would have scared him? (i said it something like that)
and sonny said: no. only if the white light of God had shown on him and the Lord had spoken in a stern voice to elvis: get off that stuff son, and get yourself straightened out. (something like that)
i took that to mean that no one could have convinced elvis to get off the drugs. only GOD. the answer was not what i expected. (wouldn't a life threatening overdose scare you?) but the answer fully satisfied my question.

sonny is open to any questions. i and my club had plenty of opportunity when he came here to vegas to promote his book (last spring). he is very candid. instead of a lot of conjecture, i really recommend seeing sonny in person, if you get the chance, and say or ask what you will directly to him.

i am seeing sonny tonight , as part of a elvis tribute show here in las vegas. the imperials are singing backup

So, do you think he realized this AFTER they wrote the book?

[utmom2008]

So, do you think he realized this AFTER they wrote the book?

I had the same thought. They wrote the book to try and wake him up, make him see what the drugs were doing to him. At what point did Sonny realize that it would have taken the direct voice of God Almighty himself to get his attention?

[ehollier]

So, do you think he realized this AFTER they wrote the book?

Even with the best of intentions, hindsight is always perfectly 20/20....

[MissyM]

S0 true, when we are in the thick of it, sometimes it's hard to see straight.

[buttonhead]

Did i miss something ? So How was the meeting with Sonny ????

[Kentucky Rain]

Why I thought there would be an index in the book of Elvis What Happened is beyond me (low class type of novel)..I was going to reference a statement made in that book about Elvis having a treatment for a type of folliculitis in a somewhat private area..great journalism and something people really needed to know.

In agreement with what Getlo said on the moving on to better mgmt, people etc. (pretty much the same thing I'd said before). Tho, I think Elvis's music was fine to me at that point (the structure, choice of songs etc).

Maybe Sonny came up with that astounding thought of it would have taken the word of God to stop drugs/etc..when he was writing those weaving tales he tells now??????? Who knows what other stuff he'll come up with.

[Getlo]

Why I thought there would be an index in the book of Elvis What Happened is beyond me (low class type of novel).

What Happened is not a novel! A novel is "an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story". And a lack of index is no indication as to the substance of any written work.

I was going to reference a statement made in that book about Elvis having a treatment for a type of folliculitis in a somewhat private area..great journalism and something people really needed to know.

Again, the book was just that ... a book. It is nothing to do with journalism (even though it was written by a journalist). Dunleavy was an author in this case. His journalistic work was separate. Journalism is reporting news. This is different.

And, because the book went into details about Elvis' medicinal habits and problems, then the above discussion about folliculitis is warranted. Would it have made it easier for you if it was on his elbow instead of "Little Elvis"?

Maybe Sonny came up with that astounding thought of it would have taken the word of God to stop drugs/etc..when he was writing those weaving tales he tells now??????? Who knows what other stuff he'll come up with.

"Weaving tales" implies that Sonny fabricated his stories. He didn't, and your assumption is quite unfair. Any and all "stuff" he's "come up with" has been proven over and over again.

But some fans simply cannot face the truth.

As for God, I don't believe in it ... but what Sonny says is true. No one could have convinced Elvis to stop using. Not even his near-fatal overdoses did.

Only a visit from God would have changed his mind. And I am surprised that Elvis - in his usual religious way, exacerbated by drugs - didn't experience a visit from the Big Guy anyway.

[utmom2008]

I was going to reference a statement made in that book about Elvis having a treatment for a type of folliculitis in a somewhat private area.

And, because the book went into details about Elvis' medicinal habits and problems, then the above discussion about folliculitis is warranted. Would it have made it easier for you if it was on his elbow instead of "Little Elvis"?

OUCH!!!!

[SweetCaroline]

"And, because the book went into details about Elvis' medicinal habits and problems, then the above discussion about folliculitis is warranted. Would it have made it easier for you if it was on his elbow instead of "Little Elvis"?"


IMO A totally crass and unnecessary post.