Elvis: Fall From Graceland

[Donut]

I agree. You can count on one hand who Elvis invited over to Graceland. That was his world to get away from being "Elvis".

He did like simple things in life. That is one of the things that I find so neat about Elvis, the movies he would watch, the food he would eat and the people who were in his inner circle.

People will say he shouldn’t have had the guys around him but who would he hang out with. As we said he didn’t like the celebrity lifestyle so it wouldn’t be other celebrities. So who would it be? It is the guys he grew up with and the southern food of home is what kept Elvis from getting a big head.

Exactly. I completely agree with you. I like some members of the MM more than others but I can understand why Elvis wanted them all around. He could be himself around those guys and live almost a normal life.

[KPM]

The question is- was there a way for Elvis to get over the shyness, to open up more, and embrace other types of people....so that he would GROW.
In the situation that we continually describe-NO there was not-there was no one who wanted him to meet new people and make new friends because any growth Elvis might experience...any new friends or interests......were a threat to EVERYONE involved IMO
Colonel wanted Elvis dependent on him, and skeptical of the new people he met.
The guys were employees (and friends) but they to had much to lose if Elvis suddenly had a drastic change in lifestyle and purpose.
Most of the guys, and definitely the Col, hated the religious exploration that Elvis was so fervently involved in...they did not understand why this was important to him and the Colonel did not want Elvis to start questioning anything that might cost Colonel a payday.
All I can say is everyone here agrees Elvis needed challenges and growth-and that was impossible in the guidelines that the Colonel had created to limit any outsider gaining a hand in Elvis's life. That is so obvious to me that it goes without saying.
Elvis should have seen thru this Stealth SNOWMAN-but if its a Stealth attack...its invisible...only Superman could see a Stealth attack-and Elvis was no Superman (no matter how great we know he was)
Elvis bought the conditions-but lets be honest- you can see when he broke from those guidelings (with the help of others) he was happier, healthier and felt the creative juices flow (which helped him in his private life)
It is sad, it is a crime to work against someones best interests in the guise of guiding them properly...
Sam Phillips could have said "
Elvis stays with me in Memphis, and if we can not promote him as well as RCA-thats tough because I am going to make every dime I can off him because thats the best thing for ME" ...he did not.
The Colonel could have also said
"Elvis don't fear meeting others in the business it can be good for you. Don't worry about where you find your good songs just find them. If you want to act seriously I will try to line up one non musical every year-that may not pay you as well, but it will be good for youand your goal to ACT."
Did Parker ever even once suggest these things...no...he wanted the most money and the quickest return on every project...regardless of the effects upon Elvis.
Why did Elvis love to jam, love to just sit and sing-because it was a time of freedom and no worry about the dos and don'ts.

[debtdbruno]

that was my thoughts about socialising with other celebrities....obviously there would be some who had an agenda, but for the most part he would have been associating with people who didn't want anything from him....a bit more of an equal footing type of situation.

[Brian]

it's myth that Elvis didn't have friends in showbusiness.

the friends that he did have in showbiz he never asked for adivce.

Hell members of his own entourage were actually working in showbiz and they learned quite a bit about it.

Still it didn't amount to anything as far as Elvis learning more about the business or getting rid of Parker.

[Brian]

that was my thoughts about socialising with other celebrities....obviously there would be some who had an agenda, but for the most part he would have been associating with people who didn't want anything from him....a bit more of an equal footing type of situation.

I'm not so sure about that.

A lot of celebrites that Elvis was acquantancies with seemed to try to get things things out of their association with him no matter how little.

I don't think not having more friends was Elvis' problem.

[debtdbruno]

I wasn't thinking of him gaining friends.....just more knowledge of the 'outside world'

He needed a more rounded and varied circle of people around him to encourage his creative juices to flow, advice and information......and get rid of Tom Parker

[Diane]

I wasn't thinking of him gaining friends.....just more knowledge of the 'outside world'

He needed a more rounded and varied circle of people around him to encourage his creative juices to flow, advice and information......and get rid of Tom Parker

Exactly!

[asian1]

Whether Elvis had any friends in show business is debatable. Hollywood is not know for its' sincerity. I think the answer to ELvis' problems could have been alleviated or at least him learning learn how to cope with them, had there been a more profound immersion in the Bible which he was fond of reading. I believe a deeper understanding of his faith may have addressed his concerns and opened up his life in a more meaningful way.

[buttonhead]

Interesting postings every one... makes me realize only ELVIS could bring the best and worse of ourselves when it comes to defend his legacy and name ... I think that not many people who passed away and still have Birthday Celebration as Elvis has been this past 35 years, after all said and done I am sure he is proud of this, mostly humbled of how much people still think the world of him.

[KPM]

If you stay in the woods and the only trees you see-are oak.... thats all you know.
If you explore others forests and learn something about the other types of trees and how they can help you build a better house, furniture.. it helps you expand your own knowledge from one sided on the subject to multi sided.
Thats all I am saying-Elvis for too long was boxed...kept....and packaged......I truely believe no one who had a financial stake in that product-wanted any outsiders becoming a real friend of Elvis.
Now Elvis also felt comfortable in the box-safe, sure, and secure-but thats the way everyone wanted it.

[Snake Eyes]

Ken, have you ever heard of the term "handlers" and the methods used by them to control and dictate their "stars" lives?

There are a few sites I visit that discuss this and before anyone jumps the gun, I'm not suggesting Elvis was or is a victim of mind control, but it is an interesting element to consider in the grand scheme of things.

[debtdbruno]

they say Tom Parker could hypnotise people...........lol

[Snake Eyes]

they say Tom Parker could hypnotise people...........lol

What a coincidence, so can I

You are getting very sleepy, when I snap my fingers you will remember nothing.............*snap*

[King Of The Whole World]

What a coincidence, so can I

You are getting very sleepy, when I snap my fingers you will remember nothing.............*snap*

Where am I?

[Snake Eyes]

Where am I?

Don't you worry, you're in safe hands....................................... mwahahahahahahahahahahaha

[KPM]

Ken, have you ever heard of the term "handlers" and the methods used by them to control and dictate their "stars" lives?

There are a few sites I visit that discuss this and before anyone jumps the gun, I'm not suggesting Elvis was or is a victim of mind control, but it is an interesting element to consider in the grand scheme of things.

I have long contended that Parker was an expert at manipulation and was a control freak when it came to his clients.
Eddy Arnold fired him in the late 40s early fifies, Hank Snow and Parker were partners according to Snow-but Parker cheated Snow (according to Snow) so Snow hated him, Parker tried to box in Tommy Sands (who Parker thought could be a big star) but his mother saw thru the SNOWMANS methods and fired him because Sands was underage......Parker was a huge mind manipulator.

[Snake Eyes]

I have long contended that Parker was an expert at manipulation and was a control freak when it came to his clients.
Eddy Arnold fired him in the late 40s early fifies, Hank Snow and Parker were partners according to Snow-but Parker cheated Snow (according to Snow) so Snow hated him, Parker tried to box in Tommy Sands (who Parker thought could be a big star) but his mother saw thru the SNOWMANS methods and fired him because Sands was underage......Parker was a huge mind manipulator.

PM'ing you instead.

[King Of The Whole World]

Don't you worry, you're in safe hands....................................... mwahahahahahahahahahahaha

Just look at this light....

[KPM]

Just look at this light....

What light???
Where am I...who am I.......swamp gasssss??????

[mistymorning]

To me this is completely disrespectful of Elvis and his memory. I won't bring myself down to her level by saying what I think of her.
I can't figure people like this. If they don't like him or not interested in him then why write rubbish like this? Must have been a slow day !!

I agree with Clidd , this is really disrepectful ......................