Reply With QuoteIn my mind it's a mixture of it all.
Parker took control of the business side, Vernon of the financial side and the MM of entertaining Elvis. And not to mention that a King always controls his court.
I've been wandering around on other sites and it's amazing the different opinions about this subject, so I'm throwing it out here. Who in the "group of men" do you think had the most influence, power and control. (besides Parker over Elvis's career) I've heard others say that the MM was trying to be too controlling over Elvis and the fans, I've heard Elvis was very controlling and his bad temper at times kept people in check. Then I've heard also that Vernon and Parker wanted to and tried to control things??
In my mind it's a mixture of it all.
Parker took control of the business side, Vernon of the financial side and the MM of entertaining Elvis. And not to mention that a King always controls his court.
"If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible.“
(George Klein)
Speaking from personal experience - the MM were very controlling in keeping the fans away from Elvis.
Forever Best Friends
Do you have a good anecdote to elaborate on this, Gail?
I like hearing stories from personal experience.
'Taking Care of Beaulieu'.
We met him once in Memphis. As they were leaving the building the MM had him surrounded and were not letting anyone get close. One of the people there who lived in Memphis who Elvis knew - asked Elvis to stop for these people who had driven a long way...he then stopped.Originally Posted by Teddy
Do you have a good anecdote to elaborate on this, Gail?
I like hearing stories from personal experience.
A friend of mine jumped on the stage in Vegas to get a kiss. She was grabbed by 2 MM just as she tapped Elvis on the shoulder....he turned around and saw her and motioned for them to let her go and gave her a kiss. She was only 15 years old - she wasn't a threat to him.
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Yeah, it sounds like they were pretty officious in their duties.
Thanks for the stories. It's ridiculous to be manhandling 15 year old girls!
Did any MM members in particular strike you as particularly bad in this respect or would you prefer to not say?
Sonny to me was the worst. He always looked pissed off. Could have been just an intimidation I was experiencing as a teenager - but he just never seemed friendly.
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Well he looks pretty mean when you see footage of him back in the day so I can believe it!
What was Red like??? I've read that his temper was also legendary, but he looked a little smaller and less intimidating than Sonny.
"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
yeah MM entertaining Elvis... or better known as elvis court jesters clowns all of them..i can understand why lisa to this day despises them all
Last edited by epmoodyblue; 12-17-2008 at 09:58 AM.
MY ELVIS WEBSITE[
]Elvis i WILL REMEMBER YOU..FOR YOU SING IN MY HEART..AND LIVE IN MY SOULmy Selena Website
yeah MM entertaining Elvis... or better known as elvis court jesters clowns all of them
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I will second that. I never saw the man with a pleasant look on his face.
Sonny and Red always seemed like two thugs to me. I have never seen them in person but the way you describe them Gail, is exactly how I had them pictured. Two big bullies!
it's security and crowd control
some fans can get rowdy despite their age
she shouldn't have jumped on stage it can be dangerous
I don't think the Memphis mafia tried to control Elvis
they worked for Elvis and did what ever he said
I will second that. I never saw the man with a pleasant look on his face.
Don't you mean Marty Lacker?
Exactly - and it's also called "doing their jobs".
I guess you know better - I was there and I saw it. Sorry but a 15 year old girl doesn't require getting grabbed by 2 of them!!! Crowd control my arse!!
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15 year old girl can be dangerous if you let one fan jump up on stage all fans are going to want to and that can lead to out of control chaos.
I was at that concert in the 3rd row
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