Reply With Quotethank you Tony. now l don't feel like l was speading a lie, but just going by what l have read.Originally Posted by Tony Trout
I think that claim comes from Knox Phillips (son of Sam), allegedly through Dewey Phillips.it's been said in other books (IIRC) that he did get into the uppers during the early touring days in the 1950s.
And given that Sam was less than reliable in his own accounts of Elvis' career (cutting Marion Keisker out of the story), I'm not sure I buy it.
For what it's worth, Scotty Moore, not one to whitewash Elvis, denies that Elvis was on anything in his Sun days. And Johnny Cash in his autobiography disputed that claim, too.
But thanks to Walk the Line, you actually hear this as gospel truth from some people now.
thank you Tony. now l don't feel like l was speading a lie, but just going by what l have read.
I never thought you were spreading a lie. I know Lamar claims Elvis started on drugs before the Army.thank you Tony. now l don't feel like l was speading a lie, but just going by what l have read.
I just wanted to know if there was any reliable backup for that, like from Billy Smith.
Because otherwise, I'll go with Peter Guralnick on this, who had these conflicting claims and yet decided that the Army story was most likely the true one.
thank you. I would never say something that hasn't been considered a source, but l never take what lamer says as gospal and yes l would go with you on Guralnick book.
I would tend to go along with what Scotty had to say rather than Lamar especially since Scotty was there with Elvis in those early touring years and Lamar was not. Also I believe in Scotty's honesty over Lamar's.
Could be you are right about the pills being distributed only among the soldiers Rene, or could be the american army did give out pills....or again maybe it was just his sergeant. Too bad Charlie wasn't here to ask as he was there with him.
Diane
Usually officers, or Sergeants, do not give those pills. Or any pills for that matter.
But true, maybe some fool who wasn't afraid of losing his strips didn't care. Everything is possible.
thanks sonny
I really didn't think they could hand out pills like without getting into some trouble.
I don't know what to say about this. Maybe he discovered them in the army but I think he liked how they made him feel and decided to use them for many different occasions like going with the guys to Vegas and staying up all night or taking them to get the energy to made all those silly movies he didn't seem able to get away from. In my opinion he knew they weren't good for him, he had to take sleeping pills in order to wear the high they give him off and get to sleep and saw how some of those around him got a scare from time to time for taking them too but I guess is one of those things you think will never happen to you and there were too many willing to give him what he wanted. A difficult situation...
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I don't know...I kinda think sooner or later,given his lifestyle,and his position,he would have started taking them......
-SatninLove
I can't blame anybody except Elvis himself. I'm sorry to say that but noone puts a gun on anyone's head to make him/her take pills. If he didn't want to take them he wouldn't have. Simply as that. As ehollier said it's all about choices...
Goodbye Rosanne...Your "family" in TCB will always remember you.
Right, I started a thread about that time ago because I have read Cash's autobiography and he says he never saw Elvis take pills during the time he was around him but watching the movie gives you the impression it was Cash's thing to portray Elvis that way.
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Walk the Line is one of my pet peeves, LOL.Right, I started a thread about that time ago because I have read Cash's autobiography and he says he never saw Elvis take pills during the time he was around him but watching the movie gives you the impression it was Cash's thing to portray Elvis that way.
It's pure and absolute fiction. About the only true thing in it is that June Carter married Johnny Cash.
Elvis takes enough heat for things he actually did. Getting Johnny Cash hooked on drugs wasn't one of them.
Answer - no its obviously not the armys fault a-tall.
Elvis got ahold of these and most likely thought hey this is great help me stay awake make you feel good, I'm sure he like others around him thought they were completley harmless.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
Yup I agree with you Brad unfortunately that's how all addictions start.
Diane
I have to agree with this because, I hate to say this but it's true, Music & Drugs go hand & hand most of the time. I strongly feel that the pill taken started in the 50's and from what I've read from Billy Smith, "Elvis would get into his mother's diet pills" and they would pep him up to keep up with the tour dates and other responsibilities he had to his career. This is not even mentioning what probably went on at after show parties. That must have been a big free for all. Have you guys ever noticed in that home movie they show in, "This Is Elvis". It looks like it might be 1956 or 57, He's at some kinda party and this freaky dude with a monkey mask is walking around. Elvis looks like he's passing a joint..Check it out and let me know what you think.
Great Post!!!!!
whatever you think about Elvis,army still use soldiers as guinea pigs, at war or peace and always will, since soldiers have no choice in(any)army..
besides, for some dark age minds it was a good opportunity to take him out of sight for two years,hoping people forget him and save their spirits and be good citizens again..
I think the Army shouldn't give these pills to soldiers... No need to do that.
Let the stars fade and fall, and I won't care at all, as long as I have you.
Elvis...
http://myantiquemusicbox.wordpress.com/
http://wendy56.wordpress.com/
"You've got it all together like a lovin' machine
You're lookin' like glory and walkin' like a dream...
Mother nature's sure been good to Y-O-U"
Wendy
Trust me, any soldier has a choice, always!
(referring to this topic of course!)
True Rene and I agree but on the other hand here you have Elvis who is fairly naive and believes that prescription drugs aren't harmful. He kept that in his head until it was too late.
I questioned my husband about the service giving out drugs as he was in the air force and he agreed that no they don't but that a few officers did take the liberty of giving some to their soldiers.
Diane
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