Has anyone read Sonny West's book Still Taking Care Of Buisness?If so,what are your thoughts?
-SL
"There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place"....
I am in the middle of it... I have just read the T-R-O-U-B-L-E's chapter... it is interesting, some stories were the same from his Elvis What Happened Book .
We got this book last year during the big 30th Elvis Anniversary , me and my boyfriend got chance to see Sonny ( for me ) for the first time, my bf met him many times before anywho... he 's a very nice man, just like many other Elvis friends i came to see with.. got pic taken with him have lil chat and a polite thank you
I bought the book a number of months ago but just haven't gotten "into" it.I just don't know who to believe,when it comes to "telling the truth" about Elvis.I have Jerry Schilling book as well.Is that a better read then Sonny West's book?
The One and Only King of Rock'n'Roll.
Originally Posted by shelley.m.
Hi shelley m.
Jerry Schillings book is okay for people that are just getting into Elvis but if your like a die hard fan not much will be new.
Sonny's book has a lot he stated in the Elvis what happened except it's not sensationalized this time and it even had about 7 or 8 things I haven't heard before and I consider myself a big Elvis fan.
Thanks! Brian.
I read it and enjoyed it very much--to read of Sonny's reaction to Elvis's passing is heartbreaking.....
I've only read two books so far about Elvis those being Elvis and Me,and Jerry Schilling's Me And A Guy Named Elvis.I thought both books are AMAZING....I love that both books give two diffrent perspectives of Elvis and his character.Jerry Schiiling's book has Elvis right on!
-SatninLove
"There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place"....
I haven't added Sonny's book to my collection. I was also hoping to see other member's opinions and reviews.
Just pretend, I'm holding you, and whispering things soft and low.
And think of me, how it's gonna be and just pretend I didn't go
In regards to Jerry's book....I have read reviews that it's a 'whitewashed' account of his life with Elvis--of course, he is closely tied in with EPE so....that might be the reason.
I have read it, cover to cover and I don't agree with that. He tells plenty about the drugs and such, he just doesn't tell it with any malice. It is told the way a friend would tell something negative on another friend. It's NOT told with cold hard facts, the "facts" are there, but they are there with kindness. You know I would link it to Pris if I thought that was the case, but in this instance I just don't think it is.
I agree with you Roseanne, he was writing about his friend, nothing more.I have read it, cover to cover and I don't agree with that. He tells plenty about the drugs and such, he just doesn't tell it with any malice. It is told the way a friend would tell something negative on another friend. It's NOT told with cold hard facts, the "facts" are there, but they are there with kindness. You know I would link it to Pris if I thought that was the case, but in this instance I just don't think it is.
IMO
I loved Jerry's book. It is very much a autobiography of Jerry's life which I found very interesting. He also tells of his relationship with Elvis since his life was very much woven with Elvis'. Jerry's book definitely kept me interested. Jerry told about the drugs etc., but he did so with kindness and respect to his friend. If you are the type of fan looking for gory details and sensationalism you won't find it in Jerry's book. If you are a type fan who likes Elvis to be treated kindly as a human being, and with respect, Jerry's book will be a good one for you.
I will never forget you Rosanne.
R.I.P. 4-27-59~7-22-09
Forever Best Friends
Excellent post SweetCaroline!! I also enjoyed Jerry`s book.It told everything we NEEDED to know. It was wrote with love and true friendship....
I have read it, cover to cover and I don't agree with that. He tells plenty about the drugs and such, he just doesn't tell it with any malice. It is told the way a friend would tell something negative on another friend. It's NOT told with cold hard facts, the "facts" are there, but they are there with kindness. You know I would link it to Pris if I thought that was the case, but in this instance I just don't think it is.
Originally Posted by SweetCaroline
IMO
I loved Jerry's book. It is very much a autobiography of Jerry's life which I found very interesting. He also tells of his relationship with Elvis since his life was very much woven with Elvis'. Jerry's book definitely kept me interested. Jerry told about the drugs etc., but he did so with kindness and respect to his friend. If you are the type of fan looking for gory details and sensationalism you won't find it in Jerry's book. If you are a type fan who likes Elvis to be treated kindly as a human being, and with respect, Jerry's book will be a good one for you.
Couldn't have said it better. Jerry's book was not complicated and a fast read. Now a biased book would be the one written by the lady Elvis hired to be his nurse - Mrs. Cocke - can't think of her first name. She made it clear from the intro that she thought very highly of Elvis and was NOT about to reveal any confidences he may have told her. Her book "I Called Him Babe", was very sweet and loyal and I got the impression that she was convinced that Elvis did not have a drug problem and ate healthy meals. Okay.
Now then, back to Sonny's book...
Just pretend, I'm holding you, and whispering things soft and low.
And think of me, how it's gonna be and just pretend I didn't go
Have anyone get to the part where Elvis tried to heal Sonny son Brian , on Elvis , Still Taking Care of Business, book ?
I will quote this, it is funny IMO :
' ..Elvis heard he was sick with a high fever and called instantly with request that tugged at our heartstrings , " Would you mind of I came over and prayed for him ?" Elvis asked.
Fifteen minutes later he showed up with Linda. Around Elvis's neck was a large green scarf, and on his head was a white turban with a big , bright gem on front of it ...
...Elvis asked me (Sonny ) if he could 'lay hands' on Brian or try to heal him through the power of prayer. We set Brian down on Elvis green scarf (green is the color of healing, he explain ) ....
Transfixed by that bright stone on Elvis turban, Brian reached up and grabbed it and gave it a pull, causing the turban to fall forward onto Elvis's face.
Great story!Have anyone get to the part where Elvis tried to heal Sonny son Brian , on Elvis , Still Taking Care of Business, book ?
I will quote this, it is funny IMO :
' ..Elvis heard he was sick with a high fever and called instantly with request that tugged at our heartstrings , " Would you mind of I came over and prayed for him ?" Elvis asked.
Fifteen minutes later he showed up with Linda. Around Elvis's neck was a large green scarf, and on his head was a white turban with a big , bright gem on front of it ...
...Elvis asked me (Sonny ) if he could 'lay hands' on Brian or try to heal him through the power of prayer. We set Brian down on Elvis green scarf (green is the color of healing, he explain ) ....
Transfixed by that bright stone on Elvis turban, Brian reached up and grabbed it and gave it a pull, causing the turban to fall forward onto Elvis's face.
I took the plunge and started to read Sonny West's book.In fact I'm on chapter 23!!! Something I knew about Elvis before hand and other things I never knew.Like his drinking.Even tho',Elvis wasn't a "heavy drinker," he did drink according to Sonny.I know that I shouldn't believe everything I read.I'll have to finish reading the book and come to my own conclusions.
I enjoyed the Sonny book and the Jerry book. They're both written with sensitivity and reflect their respective personalities.
Jerry brings a lot of humanity to his account, sometimes running the risk of being a 'self-consciously nice guy' while Sonny will often yield to his urge to pontificate, which is never less than entertaining.
'Taking Care of Beaulieu'.
I agree that Jerry's book is written with such a warm and wonderful sense that Elvis is more than just an entertainer, more than a lost soul in the later 70's on drugs, more than a sex symbol taking up with whoever, whenever. His feelings for Elvis are as genuine as Priscilla's and I am happy that Jerry waited to tell his story. It sort of puts the other books into perspective.I have read it, cover to cover and I don't agree with that. He tells plenty about the drugs and such, he just doesn't tell it with any malice. It is told the way a friend would tell something negative on another friend. It's NOT told with cold hard facts, the "facts" are there, but they are there with kindness. You know I would link it to Pris if I thought that was the case, but in this instance I just don't think it is.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
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