who was VERNON PRESLEY?

[lvs2day]

much has bin written and discussed about ELVIS and his beloved mother GLADYS [ELVIS AND GLADYS BOOK], but what about vernon , it seems to me that he was a very private man , much more so than ELVIS , some stories had surfaced that he used to beat GLADYS , and even cheat on her , even in the stanley books little is written about him, some also say he was very cheap/frugal , liked to tinker with cars, was a good carpenter . I would really like to see a book on ELVIS daddy, i know that patsy could very well be that person to at least co write a book, anyone know a bit more about him, or have some info that we have missed over the years.

[May]

You do ask some thought provoking questions lvs2day
I'll have a bit of a think before answering. Back soon!

[Tony Trout]

It has been said by those closest to Elvis (yes, I'm referring to the Memphis Mafia and that includes his own cousin, Billy Smith) that Vernon was someone who did, in fact, beat/abuse Gladys and Elvis would call home from the road in the early years of the 50s to check on her to make sure that Vernon was keeping his hands off of her and he reportedly told his father once: "Daddy, if you ever lay another hand on her, I'll kill you!".

Vernon apparently was happy when Elvis became successful because that meant that he didn't/wouldn't have to work anymore. It's been said that Vernon didn't have much of an education, either, and that he could barely read or write - but that depends on who you want to believe.

I do find it very odd/funny that Elvis hired him as his business manager.....

[sasha]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe a thing the MM has to say.

[May]

It has been said by those closest to Elvis (yes, I'm referring to the Memphis Mafia and that includes his own cousin, Billy Smith) that Vernon was someone who did, in fact, beat/abuse Gladys and Elvis would call home from the road in the early years of the 50s to check on her to make sure that Vernon was keeping his hands off of her and he reportedly told his father once: "Daddy, if you ever lay another hand on her, I'll kill you!".

Vernon apparently was happy when Elvis became successful because that meant that he didn't/wouldn't have to work anymore. It's been said that Vernon didn't have much of an education, either, and that he could barely read or write - but that depends on who you want to believe.

I do find it very odd/funny that Elvis hired him as his business manager.....

I've read all of this too.

It's ever so hard to 'judge' people who were two generations away. You can kind of see where your parents were coming from, but their parents that's a couple of lifetimes away.

I sort of believe that he probably did abuse Gladys; whether physically or verbally, mainly because of their situation (although no, thats no excuse). I also believe that he probably was on the lazy side and was so pleased when EP became successful. I think Elvis would have trusted him to become his "Business Manager", but ultimately he knew that his father wasn't up to the job, and didn't have the contacts the Col did.

[May]

I'm sorry, but I don't believe a thing the MM has to say.

Understand what you are saying Sasha.

[sasha]

I just don't see how anyone can profess to know what Vernon did or was in his early years ,except family that were there. .
The MM were not around him and I don't like stories starting out with -" it's been said "

IMO, the MM has made enough money off their Elvis stories to last a lifetime .

[May]

Oh I do so agree with your last sentence!!

On the one hand people don't have to know someone inside out to get an idea on how they are as a person. In fact sometimes it is the people who ARENT so close that can give an all round view of them. On the other hand I can see (again) your point. How on earth can they claim to know someone when they arent there at that time.

It's basically all views and opinions isnt it.

[italianfan]

I havent thought about this question in depth but the first thing that came into my head was that Vernon was probably a very simple man, like Elvis who knew the hard side of life, probably didnt have much of an education growning up in the south towards the start of the century. However, when the money came for Elvis he obviously enjoyed it but it was plain to see that he still had his old views on money and was very careful with it.

As for him beating Gladys, well he probably did. And as May said, its not excusable but it was a different era and a different lifestyle to what any of us have lived.

[Tony Trout]

I just don't see how anyone can profess to know what Vernon did or was in his early years ,except family that were there. .
The MM were not around him and I don't like stories starting out with -" it's been said "

IMO, the MM has made enough money off their Elvis stories to last a lifetime .

Sasha,

Then I guess you don't believe Billy Smith, Elvis's own cousin? He, along with Lamar, were there when these things went on.

[sasha]

Sasha,

Then I guess you don't believe Billy Smith, Elvis's own cousin? He, along with Lamar, were there when these things went on.

No, can't say that I do. Did either live with Vernon & Gladys ?
Let's see, Elvis would have been in his teens in the '50s.

There have been many that have made a living off sensational stories of the Presley family. Including the family.
Seems that some family members use their blood relations in many ways. Billy hasn't said a lot in the last few years after complaining about being left out of Elvis' will.
In the long run, what does it matter & who does it benefit to keep telling such wild stories ?
Only the ones that get paid for repeating them .

[Brian]

I just don't see how anyone can profess to know what Vernon did or was in his early years ,except family that were there. .
The MM were not around him and I don't like stories starting out with -" it's been said "

IMO, the MM has made enough money off their Elvis stories to last a lifetime .

They know because Elvis told them and they were around several of the family members.
Then when Vernon was supposedly beating Gladys they were around then.


I think most of the MM guys are broke


Elvis books don't really make that much and they don't get the huge advances that someone like a Ted Kennedy or a Sarah Palin would get for a book.

I do think that since George Klein just recently came out with a book that there will be no more Elvis books from the inner circle.
The well is dry.

[Brian]

Vernon Presley did play a crucial yet often overlooked moment in Elvis' career

When Elvis fired Colonel Parker after the fight they had in September 1973 Vernon encouraged Elvis to patch things up with him because he was worried he'd have to pay the 2 million dollars that Parker claimed was owed to him.

If Vernon hadn't of done that the Elvis/Colonel Parker partnership would've ended right there in Vegas in September 1973.

So after reading this message a lot of fans will be reminded of this fact and won't like Vernon Presley.

[sasha]

They know because Elvis told them and they were around several of the family members.
Then when Vernon was supposedly beating Gladys they were around then.


I think most of the MM guys are broke


Elvis books don't really make that much and they don't get the huge advances that someone like a Ted Kennedy or a Sarah Palin would get for a book.

I do think that since George Klein just recently came out with a book that there will be no more Elvis books from the inner circle.
The well is dry.

I'm not here to argue. Everyone has their own opinion.
I have to ask the question; who said Elvis told the MM this?

I'd be thankful if there were no more books from the "inner circle."
I've heard quite enough from all of them.

[Brian]

I'm not here to argue. Everyone has their own opinion.
I have to ask the question; who said Elvis told the MM this?

I'd be thankful if there were no more books from the "inner circle."
I've heard quite enough from all of them.

I said he did

It's just the natural order of the universe.

If you have a close friend or spouse then you'll tell them things about yourself that happened before they met you or when they weren't there.

Since the MM were friends of Elvis' i'm positive they had those conversations.
Also several members of the MM came and went and then came back again so they know what went on when they were absent through the guys that were there at that time.

For example Sonny West, Red West, Marty Lacker were completely gone by 1976 and Lamar Fike wasn't around very much either so all the things they talk about that happened to Elvis in the last year or year and a half of his life comes from Billy and Jo Smith.

[monk37]

We do know a fair bit about Vernon.

He was the bad son, Vester was the good one.

Vernon was allergic to working, he was a handsome ladies man like his father.

Vernon was younger than Gladys and when Elvis was born, Vernon was beside the point and reduced in stature to Elvis.

Vernon drifted from job to job, landed in Jail for cheque forgery, Gladys worked hard to get him out of one of the most infamous jails of the era - Parchman

Most likely they did leave Tupelo because Vernon was running moonshine and likely to be arrested again.

Elvis felt from a young age that he had to take care of his parents, this is the case when parents don't play the parent role.

Vernon stopped working as soon as Elvis started making more money in a month than Vernon had ever made in a year

and like Elvis did for most of his other relatives, Elvis gave his dad a job - that he wasn't up for and that he hadn't prepared Elvis to take care of himself.

[Merry]

I said he did

It's just the natural order of the universe.

If you have a close friend or spouse then you'll tell them things about yourself that happened before they met you or when they weren't there.

Since the MM were friends of Elvis' i'm positive they had those conversations.
Also several members of the MM came and went and then came back again so they know what went on when they were absent through the guys that were there at that time.

For example Sonny West, Red West, Marty Lacker were completely gone by 1976 and Lamar Fike wasn't around very much either so all the things they talk about that happened to Elvis in the last year or year and a half of his life comes from Billy and Jo Smith.

Hi Brian,

However, each of the men contradict each other in "Elvis and the Memphis Mafia", when interviewed, as their memory recollection is different from each other's, probably due to their previous life experiences, education, and outlooks on life.

[May]

I'm not here to argue. Everyone has their own opinion.
I have to ask the question; who said Elvis told the MM this?

.

[debtdbruno]

You do ask some thought provoking questions lvs2day
I'll have a bit of a think before answering. Back soon!

quite agree May..........

[debtdbruno]

We do know a fair bit about Vernon.

He was the bad son, Vester was the good one.

Vernon was allergic to working, he was a handsome ladies man like his father.

Vernon was younger than Gladys and when Elvis was born, Vernon was beside the point and reduced in stature to Elvis.

Vernon drifted from job to job, landed in Jail for cheque forgery, Gladys worked hard to get him out of one of the most infamous jails of the era - Parchman

Most likely they did leave Tupelo because Vernon was running moonshine and likely to be arrested again.

Elvis felt from a young age that he had to take care of his parents, this is the case when parents don't play the parent role.

Vernon stopped working as soon as Elvis started making more money in a month than Vernon had ever made in a year

and like Elvis did for most of his other relatives, Elvis gave his dad a job - that he wasn't up for and that he hadn't prepared Elvis to take care of himself.

excellent points

Also, didn't Gladys whack Vernon occasionally with the frying pan????