Bill Burk ...Good Guy Or Bad Guy?

[Liverbobs]

Any of the people in the know regarding Bill,is he one of the good guys or one of the baddies? I've read many stories regarding Bill and Elvis, some good , some bad and would like to know if the stories Bill recounts can be trusted or not.
I once read many years ago that Elvis wasn't happy with Bill towards the end of his life due to some of the stories Bill was printing about him.

I would appreciate it if some of the more knowlegeable people could set the record straight, thanks in advance

[Albert]

Bill Burk was a friend of Elvis. Of course not a close friend like people like Red West, but he knew Elvis quite well.

In the 70s he didn't had much contact with Elvis. In -I believe- december 1976 he saw a show of Elvis and was extremely supriced how bad Elvis was. He looked and sounded unhealthy and uninspired. So he wrote -as a journalist- a negative review for that show.

I guess that Elvis -if he was aware of that article- wouldn't have been that happy about it. But we all know that Bill in fact was right: almost half a year later Elvis was dead because of this bad health. And we all agree that many shows of 1976-1977 were uninspired.

I had a small chat with Bill and he looked as a nice guy. I always enjoy his newsletter.

[NEA]

Hi,

Didn't I read somewhere that soon after Bill had written that article Elvis found out about it and wasn't too pleased with him?....I could swear that I read or heard that they had arranged to meet up near Graceland to discuss the issue and clear the air?

Cheers,

NEA.

[Captain Elwood David]

All of Burk's books about Elvis are highly recommended reading - even "essential" for hardcore fans.

I have a lot respect for Burk - on multiple levels. He knows a lot & is correct the vast majority of the time.

Nobody gets it right all the time (myself included ), but Burk is definitely a solid source.

--------------------

Burk discusses in one of his books .... his negative 70's article about an EP Vegas stint. EP was not pleased and requested a meeting with Burk. They wound up meeting in a dark parking lot to iron-out their differences one evening (since Burk wisely concluded that meeting EP on his own turf - Graceland - might have subjected him to some awkward positions ---> ie: Burk knew Elvis well enough to know what he was capable of ).

Burk is a rare hard-hitting TRUTH speaker & I know of nobody else that has done more of their OWN TRULY ORIGINAL FIRST-HAND RESEARCH for their own books - than Bill Burk. He is also a fellow MYTH-BUSTER that gets a tip of my hat - anyday.

IMO - Burk is a rare gem / treasure in The Elvis World.



- Capt. "EL.

[carolynlm]

There is an article on www.elvisinfonet.com about this meeting.
Bill Burk is a nice bloke, some of his stories are totally different than the ones we are used to reading, but maybe they are just from another perspective.....have a look at the above link, it's an Australian site and an excellent one....hey Nigel and Piers......have a good one....

[Captain Elwood David]

There is an article on www.elvisinfonet.com about this meeting.
Bill Burk is a nice bloke, some of his stories are totally different than the ones we are used to reading, but maybe they are just from another perspective ....

EIN does indeed have a good site there.

Job well-done - EIN.

--------------------------

Generally speaking:

You'd be surprised as to how the MYTH has slowly replaced REALITY with a number of "well-know" tales familiar to long-time hardcore fans.

The reasons for it are multi-faceted:

1. By virtue of being re-told the same way (incorrectly) time and again over the years, the story transforms into The Gospel with the passage of enough time. People / Sources parroting what others who have come before them have said or printed in the past - without confirming or investigating themselves first-hand.

2. When in doubt, print the MYTH.

3. MYTH is what most want to believe / see / be told / hear.

4. Mistaken assumptions & filled-in-imaginary-gaps by even some of those that were there are also responsible. Sometimes it is an innocent mistake, ..... other times, ........ it is intentional secondary to agendas, etc..

--------------------

All that were there have their own perspective, per-se, ..... but some are more reliable / critical than others. ALL do indeed have different pieces to the puzzle & all pieces are important to piecing together the whole picture.

Burk's perspective is needed, necessary, & critical. He's done a lot to help put EP History into its proper & correct place.



- Capt. "EL."

[Liverbobs]

Thanks everybody for their imformative responses, I'm going to put Bill's books on my shopping list from now on

[Jungleroom76]

WISE DECISION LIVERBOBS!!!

As Cappy said, Bill's books are very informative and required reading for most Elvis fans!

And, if you can find a copy, might I also suggest you consider taking a look at Bill's magazine ELVIS WORLD! It is an EXCELLENT publication...I've been a subscriber for 4 years now, and really look forward to each and every issue! Bill's stories are quite informative and fun to read, and he's usually right about 99% of the time!!!

TCB!
Mike

[NEA]

Hey Guys,

Anybody know what was said between Bill & Elvis that night behind Dunkin' Donuts?...I reckon Bill must have said something along the lines - "I wrote about what I saw...I told the truth..." Perhaps Bill then went on to comment about Elvis' failing health. I'm quite sure EP was in denial and they probably just agreed to disagree and let bygones be bygones?

Anybody any reflection on this?

Cheers,

NEA.