Reply With QuoteWell, to tell you the truth I don't really care about this. At least he served Elvis well in his time and didn't participate in the West/Hebler book.
Dick Grob
Old news; this article is from August 2002 - but for anyone who isn't familiar with him, or is attending a talk by him maybe if you read this you might think again.
Vets question military claims by Elvis' bodyguard
By MICHAEL D. SALLAH
BLADE NATIONAL AFFAIRS WRITER
The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
When former Toledo policeman Richard Grob wrote a book about his days as Elvis Presley's bodyguard, he offered an impressive resume beyond protecting the king of rock n' roll: winning the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for combat bravery.
But those claims by the well-known Elvis celebrity have turned out to be bogus - prompting an investigation by a local veteran's organization.
The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission is trying to determine if Richard Grob can be prosecuted for the claims in his book, The Elvis Conspiracy?
"He ought to be ashamed for what he did. People have died for those medals," said Robert Mettler, director of the local office and a Vietnam veteran.
The inquiry began on Aug. 19 - a week after The Blade reported the discrepancies in an article about Mr. Grob, a former Air National Guard reservist who later became chief of security for Elvis Presley.
A keynote speaker at national Elvis conventions, Mr. Grob wrote in his book he was an Air Force officer who was awarded two of the nation's highest combat honors before he was eventually offered a job by Elvis Presley in 1967.
The son of a army officer killed in the Korean War, Mr. Grob compares himself to his father by writing: "I received only one silver star to his four, and only one Purple Heart to his four."
But a review of the ex-policeman's Air Force records show he dropped out of the academy after 71/2 months in 1959, and spent three years as an Air National Guard clerk and policeman in Harrisburg, Pa., and Toledo.
The records show he never served in Vietnam, and was discharged in 1964 as an airman second class - not a commissioned officer.
The 63-year-old ex-bodyguard who once walked a police beat in downtown Toledo refused to comment on the claims, which have stirred debate among veteran's groups in Toledo, where he was raised. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," says Mr. Grob, who now lives in Las Vegas.
Joe Esposito, one of Elvis' closest friends and a longtime member of the singer's inner circle, said Mr. Grob used to talk about his years "as a combat pilot" when they traveled on the road with Elvis from 1967 to 1977.
"Dick told all of us, including Elvis, he was a fighter pilot," Mr. Esposito told The Blade.
"He was shot down. I think Elvis was taken by that. I guess I believed it at the time. I don't know. We all were told the same thing. Dick has been saying that stuff for years."
The 1957 DeVilbiss High School graduate has been embroiled in controversy before - most recently in 1997 when he claimed to have found an unreleased recording of Elvis, a discovery that created national news.
But the record, which Mr. Grob says was signed and given to him by Elvis, was challenged by RCA - which co-owns the rights to Elvis' music - saying the voice did not belong to the legendary singer.
Mr. Grob also claimed in his 1996 book that Elvis' girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found his body on the bathroom floor the day of his death, but she never bothered to call for help right away - possibly contributing to his demise.
But a health-care expert and family friend who reviewed the 44-page autopsy report - kept secret by the family for 25 years - said Elvis died at least three hours before she found him, casting doubts she ever could have saved him.
"She was in no position to revive him," said the family friend, who asked not to be identified. "That was just wrong."
Though Mr. Grob has weathered controversy before, the military claims are being investigated by Mr. Mettler and other members of the veterans commission. He says he is also asking the U.S. attorney's office in Toledo and the U.S. Air Force to assist in the investigation.
Federal law bans anyone from impersonating an officer of any U.S. military organization - a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. But in the case of Mr. Grob, the claims are from the past.
Assistant U.S. attorney David Bauer said if the former bodyguard applied for benefits or veteran's claims using the phony information, he could be prosecuted. Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Ron Bowman, a retired army major general, said he's asking the U.S. attorney's office to investigate the matter. "This is the type of stuff that needs to be exposed," he said.
In the past decade, the backgrounds of numerous political, celebrity, and sports figures have been revealed, often costing them their careers. Former Oregon Congressman Wes Cooley, a one-term Republican, lost his seat in 1996 after it was revealed he lied about serving in the army in Korea. Toronto Blue Jays manager Tim Johnson was fired in 1999 after it was exposed that he fabricated tales of fighting in Vietnam.
Mr. Grob, who signs autographs and appears at Elvis fan events, was most recently a guest speaker at a 25th anniversary event of Elvis' death sponsored by Graceland in Memphis on Aug. 14. Two days later, he was the master of ceremonies at an event in Portland, Maine - the city where Elvis was to perform before he died.
Mr. Mettler says he investigates dozens of false claims a year by people who contend they've served in the military, or received combat recognition. But he says these claims have been the most high profile from any veteran from this area.
Ironically, Mr. Grob's father, Richard Grob, Sr., was a legitimate war hero when he died in 1951, said Mr. Mettler. "He would probably be rolling over in his grave if he knew this," he said.
Edward Vincent, commander of VFW Post 3013 in Springfield Township, said Mr. Grob "has already hung himself" by including the information in the biography of his book. "As far as I'm concerned you expose these people for who they are, and you move on."
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
Well, to tell you the truth I don't really care about this. At least he served Elvis well in his time and didn't participate in the West/Hebler book.
Grob turned into quite the con-man at least as far back as the 1990's.
FACT -
He tried to pass off a ton of bogus EP-owned / autographed material in the 2nd Butterfield & Butterfield auction; some of it was even pulled.
Anybody who bought items then or since, sourced to Grob ............... probably should be aware.
His credibility is pretty much shot amongst hardcore collectors. A pity, too, because I'm sure he had a few nice legit items as well (wouldn't touch any with a ten-foot pole now).
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
PS - On a positive note: I did enjoy his book, however. It spoke volumes, on multiple levels.
Leroy, Im just letting a few people know in case they ever had the inclination to buy anything from him.
Yes, he may have served Elvis well, but it doesent take away from the fact that he lied to Elvis about his purple heart which was on of the things that impressed Elvis and eventually led to E hiring him. Although I have since heard that Elvis never entirely trusted him. " What Happened? ", for all the negativity surrounding it was written while Elvis was alive and also is fact. The question of whether or not it should have been written is up for debate, and maybe some of the stories are exagerated to the extent that just the negative side of the story is portrayed as opposed to a balanced positve/negative view - but everything in it is true.
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
I know that Grob has been in connection with Donna Early in recent years due to a number of Elvis events.
But, wasn't it Grob who turned a blind-eye and took a back-hander from Elvis' 'umpteenth' cousin, Billy Mann when the National Enquirer paid him to take that sordid photo of Elvis in his coffin at Graceland?
They're all money-grabbing slime-balls.
"I oughta break you in half!"...
"If you do, you'll have two very short friends!"
A tip of my hat to "03..".Originally Posted by 0349054
Agreed on all counts, especially in bold portions.
"EWH" has no lies in it, just a skewed presentation of the FACTS. Dunleavy had a heavy hand in the final form of the book with an eye towards sensationalism (ie: sales).
EP got rid of The Wests because they were doing what real friends should do --------> trying to help EP (& I'm talking about before they were fired & any book was on the horizon). They were confronting EP with his problems in an aggressive manner. (Hebler, however, is another story entirely).
(Feel free to blast away, folks ................ lol!!). I will not engage in this discussion any further (I'm honestly tired of this particular topic ------> EWH).
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
Hebler was a sneak who tried to coax Elvis into freebees, -"OH Elvis man thats a beautiful ring-car-coat etc.."
Red West is the one MMM I have the most respect for, I have always felt he showed the most dignity and truth to himself and the Elvis story (good and bad.)
My brother met Sonny at a concert (I do not remember who the artist was I keep thinking Beach Boys) in the early 90s selling memorablia for the show. He recognised him and asked him about the book. He downplayed the bad and
blamed it all on Dunleavy who stressed the bad. He said for every bad time, there were a dozen fun good times. I asked my brother if he was sure it was Sonny West and he swore it was.
Thanks for the tip of the hat Captain! You can take it I tip mine for each one of your posts, as I do find them interesting, honest and well presented.
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
I love to hear your frankness Captain :o)
Never change who you are!!!!!! Dovey
My thanks to "03 .." & "Dovey", and my respect in return.
----------------------------------------
KPM,
EP had indeed started climbing The Learning Curve re: Hebler (and was also previously warned about him by Ed Parker).
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
Yeah, in Portrait Of A Friend, Hebler has a rant about Parker! I don't like him, and it really irritates him that Elvis mentions him by name in the taped conversation with Red!
The Sun Never Sets On A Legend...
It is indeed kinda hard to deny when it's coming from the Horse's Mouth (in this case, EP's).
--------------------------------------
I think it's a pity that EP never had a chance to articulate his own feelings / opinions about some of those who were around him (inner circle / MMM's / entourage). It wouldn't have been EP's style to do it out in the open, which is exactly why such private remarks by our hero speak volumes on a number of levels.
It's hilarious that people like The Wests get so ostracized by the fandom for speaking the TRUTH, ..........
............. and others who have spewed so much fiction / embellishment are embraced with adulation / praise.
Problem with this kind of topic (EWH) is that too many think emotionally .............. not rationally ......... about.
Ignorance is indeed Bliss.
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
Hi Cap,
I know we've ranted on about The Wests and 'What Happened?' in a good few posts over a number of these threads - but just to put it to you:
Do you not think fans get emotionally-tied to this subject due to the fact it was a subject that constantly 'stressed' Elvis during his final year and which a number of fans do believe that the stress caused by that book did not do his health much good especially by the time of August 1st, 1977 - the book's release date?
Ok, The Wests spoke their mind, Hebler acted like a 'sheep' in the process and did too, but surely this book was written more out of bitterness than to 'try and get Elvis to change his ways' and of course you have the added sensationalism of one Steve Dunleavy...it does appear to be a negative piece.
On the other hand, if Elvis would have faced up to Red & Sonny and had a quiet word about letting them go (as opposed to firing them) then maybe he could have softened the blow, and just maybe the book wouldn't have been written. Elvis could have handled the situation a lot better, but who am I to judge our man?...nobody.
Joe Esposito, August, 1977: "They have to live with what they've done".
"I oughta break you in half!"...
"If you do, you'll have two very short friends!"
As per my words above, ..... I have no desire to go round-n-round with this topic, but will briefly respond to your comments just this one time "NEA."
Book is infamous simply because it coincidently came out right before EP died.
EP had a copy of the final book; heavily read & marked. It did indeed cause him many sleepless nights.
Had he lived and faced up to his problems, the authors would be praised today.
That book didn't "kill" Elvis. Elvis did. Nor (as has been absurdly asserted on other threads) did EP commit suicide over it or for any other related reasons.
Lots of fans want to look to blame anybody else ..................... except ELVIS.
Many motives for writing, all valid (bitterness, message to EP to clean-up, $$$). I believe The Wests have admitted to all three at one time or another; just another example as their straight-shooting honesty.
Red stated he knew E would have re-hired. Maybe they just got tired of playing the same ol' game after all the years (who knows) -----> I've never walked in their shoes (Red / Sonny), so I am certainly nobody to pass judgement either. I will say this much, though -----> Red & E went way, way back. IMO, EP did indeed handle it incorrectly. Then again, EP was not exactly thinking clearly back in '77 & was in a state of denial about many things.
------------------------------------------------
"All the others have to live with what the didn't do to help EP, too."
- Cappy
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
Last edited by Captain Elwood David; 10-18-2005 at 11:25 PM.
Returning to the original topic...
I don't think you can trust any man with a name like Dick Grob. Dick by name, dick by nature. (Coincidentally, changing one vowel for another in his surname makes him sound like a serial masturbator).
The prosecution rests.
LOL wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha
"Cryo" -
There's also Elvis' Nurse, Marion Cocke ................
(Note to the "Newbies" on board ------> g-o-o-g-l-e it if you don't believe me).
Cappy
HAHAHAHAHA!
You can't even make this stuff up!
I'm sure Elvis didn't let those names slip without a few cracks in his lifetime...
I'll say this about Elvis and the way he handled his life. I can not imagine, nor can anybody, how he should have handled any aspect of his life. I can not even say how I would have-TRUELY- handled the situations of his unique life. I can say I am sure from 1955 on, I would have questioned( in my head) the motives of every single friend, relative, or aquaintance I had any contact with. Alone in a crowd is a hard way to live. Knowing I was not that popular in school and now everyone wants to be my best friend would be hard to take wihtout suspicion.
We can speculate all we want about the how and why of the things he did. But no one here, or even those closest to him can tell you for sure the reasons. He screwed up big time in believing prescription drugs were something you can control and don't control you. He had the psychological quirks about confrontation, sex, motherhood, trust, etc. that everyone in some form has.Few truthful people will say they know why they react to certain things in a certain way- who understands all the actions they take?
We all role play. You are not the same with a stranger as you are with a friend, nor a friend as with your spouse, nor your spouse as you are your mother, business associate, boss, employee....
My point is you can be so much to so many in a normal life- with normal pressures(that can be bad enough) Multiply that by millions who THINK they know you! Multiply it by millions worldwide who say they love you-look up to you! Then crawl inside your head and imagine how you would react to that! It's not something you can even have a point of reference for. I can state I can not imagine that pressure. I would only want to shout I am only man no matter how much you want me to be a perfect God of some kind. When he did, he knew many did not believe him. Judging him or his actions I am not qualified to do.
KPM -
The only "normal" people you (or anybody) know(s), ......... in reality, are the one's you don't know very well.
Capt. "EL." / N880EP
... just a fan ....
PS - "Cryo", .......... I believe Sonny (or one of the MMM's) made a crude joke about Marion's surname once (in front her) & EP tore him a new posterior orifice (in private, he probably did indeed bust a gut over it); EP was always The Southern Gentleman, especially with his elders. (It's always the music, ............... and so much more.)
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