new sonny west book

[0349054]

I feel the Wests were wrong in writing the first book, but can see why they did it. Love and hate are a fine line -You always hurt the one you love as was stated before. They picked a terrible guy to write it, he is worse than an ambulance chaser IMO. He heard they were thinking of writing a tell all book and like a vulture swooped in to scavange. They needed money and were mad at Elvis, the vulture had up front money and they went for it. The bad(prescription drug abuse, temper tantrums, sex habits) took up the bulk of the book. Thats what sells-SEX DRUGS ROCK-IN-ROLL! He knew how to frame it to make Elvis look like crap. I'm sure a lot of it is based on true incidents, but framed to make it look worse. If you never read another Elvis book you would come away thinking he did nothing 24 hours a day but sit totally spaced out or in a stupor without a lucid thought.
He made 33 movies and not one account I have read, from a director, producer or co-star ever said he was stoned on a set. He did over 700 recordings and until the mid 70s I never heard anyone say he acted stoned or was on something at the sessions. He met in the 60s with people from all walks of life and no hint of a huge drug problem was ever there, he had a modem of control and restraint. In the 70s Elvis and his life began to get out of balance and the drug dependency magnified into a huge problem. But to stress those troubled years and downplay everything which did not paint the picture the vulture wanted was unfair and wrong. That they allowed him to do it was wrong. But listen it happened and I'm sure they regret it to some extent and wish it was done differently. I wish I had not done a lot of things- so do you. Life happens not as we want but as it unfolds.
I hope the new book helps him in every way he needs it to and hope it is more balanced in every way.

Just wondering if you have read What Happened?

There is more to the book than just sex and drugs. Elvis' generosity is shown, good times with him are also portrayed. All the pranks they used to get up to.

Elvis is very jittery in some of the movies. Also he fell and banged his head before Double Trouble was shot, think it was Double Trouble or Kissin Cousins, and the whole filming had to be put back. Colonel really clamped down on E's lifestyle for a bit after that.

[NEA]

Hi 0349054,

What was the reason for Elvis' 'jittery behaviour' in some of the movies? Was it because he was expecting some prank to take place during the shooting of a scene? Are there any movies that spring to mind that provide a good example?

I suppose it was Dunleavy's doing that the dark aspects of Elvis' life were brought to the fore and focused on in "EWH", more so than the aforementioned good times.

NEA.

[0349054]

His use of medication. Elvis tripped on an electrical cord going into the bathroom in 67' and the movie had to be put back a week. He was possinly taking hallucinagenic drugs at the time that it happened. Regardless, the Colonel took control and basically brainwashed Elvis for a week. Got him away from Religion, severed his relationship with Larry Geller for a few years and attempted to reign in the Memphis Mafia fully.

Elvis' speech is quite fast in many of the mid 60's movies - an effect of the uppers he was taking.

[NEA]

The Colonel brainwashed Elvis for a week in 1967?!...Hadn't he been doing that since 1955??!!

In saying that, how do you brainwash somebody for a week?...does "Elvis-What Happened?" go into detail about the technique The Colonel used on Elvis in order for this to take place?

I suppose with the state of Elvis' career at that time, when compared to the groundbreaking creativity of such British rivals as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, no wonder he needed some kind of fix to get him through a working day. Making those movies would have drove anybody to drink...and...er...take drugs. And, no wonder his religious faith was his only sense of 'freedom' and 'meditation', I bet he longed for a quiet moment during the day or night when he could tuck into a bible as opposed to one of those sappy movie scripts.

"Elvis' speech is quite fast in many of the mid 60's movies - an effect of the uppers he was taking." - is that a quote coming out of "EWH"?

[joanne]

Hi Joanne

Thanks so much for your empasioned messages. You have given me something to think about with regard to EBTP. I hadn't really considered all of the "pieces" of EBTP the way you presented it. Thanks for your honesty. I do appreciate the opportunity for each of us to feel free to share openly in this forum. I still enjoy Lisa's music, however AND I'm still not buying Sonny's new book.

IM

Thankyou sweetie.

[KPM]

to 0349054-Yes I bought and read the book in September 77. I bought it after an intense publicity spree that DID NOT stress any good times or pranks (which ARE in the book) The stress in the move to sell it (2 million paper backs to K-Mart in a weeks time) was on the sensational. The book was written to stress what sold -Come on the Wests have even admitted the story they told was not portrayed the way they told it, to Dunleavy. On the cover THE DARK OTHER SIDE ... and lower on the cover SHOCKING BIZAIRRE STORY. Now honestly does that sound like a balanced book- before you even open the cover you are hit with dark- shocking- bizairre? This book was depending on people wanting to hear dirt whether it was all truthful or based on some fact, or even out and out lies. You have an opinion, and so do I. So do many. I just do not believe everything written in the name of TELL ALL to sell books is completely true. Shrinks say when a person gives an account of any experience they were directly involved in, it is almost always slanted to their benefit in one way or another. Now we have hundreds of books written about Elvis, first hand accounts of his every move from people like the Wests, Esposito, Stanleys and on down the Elvis food chain, maids, associates, one time meetings etc....The only one who can answer the different accusations is dead. He will never give his account, nor his memory, nor his justifications or possibly make a few accusations of his own. Just because someone has a first hand account does not always mean totally true accounts without embellishment for monetary gain. The first book is a prime example.

[Dovey]

KPM "Amen" and I do mean A-M-E-N!!!! Dovey

[joanne]

to 0349054-Yes I bought and read the book in September 77. I bought it after an intense publicity spree that DID NOT stress any good times or pranks (which ARE in the book) The stress in the move to sell it (2 million paper backs to K-Mart in a weeks time) was on the sensational. The book was written to stress what sold -Come on the Wests have even admitted the story they told was not portrayed the way they told it, to Dunleavy. On the cover THE DARK OTHER SIDE ... and lower on the cover SHOCKING BIZAIRRE STORY. Now honestly does that sound like a balanced book- before you even open the cover you are hit with dark- shocking- bizairre? This book was depending on people wanting to hear dirt whether it was all truthful or based on some fact, or even out and out lies. You have an opinion, and so do I. So do many. I just do not believe everything written in the name of TELL ALL to sell books is completely true. Shrinks say when a person gives an account of any experience they were directly involved in, it is almost always slanted to their benefit in one way or another. Now we have hundreds of books written about Elvis, first hand accounts of his every move from people like the Wests, Esposito, Stanleys and on down the Elvis food chain, maids, associates, one time meetings etc....The only one who can answer the different accusations is dead. He will never give his account, nor his memory, nor his justifications or possibly make a few accusations of his own. Just because someone has a first hand account does not always mean totally true accounts without embellishment for monetary gain. The first book is a prime example.

I do agree with that because the Stanleys for instance have a first hand account but I still wouldn`t believe a word that any of them say.

[0349054]

I do agree with that because the Stanleys for instance have a first hand account but I still wouldn`t believe a word that any of them say.

Really? Sure according to Rick John Lennon rang the doorbell at graceland and he answered the door to him? ( Lennon never visited Graceland )

oh and Elvis used drive him to school in a Pink Cadillac.....

should I continue!

[0349054]

The Colonel brainwashed Elvis for a week in 1967?!...Hadn't he been doing that since 1955??!!

In saying that, how do you brainwash somebody for a week?...does "Elvis-What Happened?" go into detail about the technique The Colonel used on Elvis in order for this to take place?

I suppose with the state of Elvis' career at that time, when compared to the groundbreaking creativity of such British rivals as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, no wonder he needed some kind of fix to get him through a working day. Making those movies would have drove anybody to drink...and...er...take drugs. And, no wonder his religious faith was his only sense of 'freedom' and 'meditation', I bet he longed for a quiet moment during the day or night when he could tuck into a bible as opposed to one of those sappy movie scripts.

"Elvis' speech is quite fast in many of the mid 60's movies - an effect of the uppers he was taking." - is that a quote coming out of "EWH"?

I dont know if your familiar with that week in 67 or if you have spoken to any of the guys about it but the Colonel took over Elvis properly for that week.

Yes he had always brainwashed him, but he had complete control over Elvis for that week. Its in quite a few books about Elvis and the guys will tell you about it if asked.

No that's not a quote from EWH, its just observation.

Your right though, who wouldent get depressed making movies like those.

[0349054]

to 0349054-Yes I bought and read the book in September 77. I bought it after an intense publicity spree that DID NOT stress any good times or pranks (which ARE in the book) The stress in the move to sell it (2 million paper backs to K-Mart in a weeks time) was on the sensational. The book was written to stress what sold -Come on the Wests have even admitted the story they told was not portrayed the way they told it, to Dunleavy. On the cover THE DARK OTHER SIDE ... and lower on the cover SHOCKING BIZAIRRE STORY. Now honestly does that sound like a balanced book- before you even open the cover you are hit with dark- shocking- bizairre? This book was depending on people wanting to hear dirt whether it was all truthful or based on some fact, or even out and out lies. You have an opinion, and so do I. So do many. I just do not believe everything written in the name of TELL ALL to sell books is completely true. Shrinks say when a person gives an account of any experience they were directly involved in, it is almost always slanted to their benefit in one way or another. Now we have hundreds of books written about Elvis, first hand accounts of his every move from people like the Wests, Esposito, Stanleys and on down the Elvis food chain, maids, associates, one time meetings etc....The only one who can answer the different accusations is dead. He will never give his account, nor his memory, nor his justifications or possibly make a few accusations of his own. Just because someone has a first hand account does not always mean totally true accounts without embellishment for monetary gain. The first book is a prime example.

I agree, that it's not balanced but for people who have not read the book - they simply cant comment on it. A lot of people here have not read it, and any opinion they form on it is baseless and naive.

It is more balanced than a lot of them would like to believe though as you noted. People do try and make themselves look better when they give an account of something. Look - most of them claim they were his best friend - especially Esposito. I don't know who was his best friend - but I do feel Billy Smith was when he died. The amount of time he spent with Billy before he died is testimony enough for me, and also the way Billy doesent really sell out much.

I agree that just because its a first hand account does not guarantee its reliable. But I do feel its more reliable than someone like Goldman stepping in, or Guarnlick.

This is a good thread!

[NEA]

0349054,

I was in the audience a few years ago when Brother David claimed that it was HE who opened Graceland's front door to find John Lennon and Brian Epstein standing there!

I wonder if Brother Billy would also care to stake a claim?

Christ, who the hell does one believe!!

NEA.

[KPM]

Yes everyone was his best friend, and everyone claims to have the whole truth and nothing but the truth. To look a little deeper I don't think Elvis had a best friend. He had a few friends and thousands of aquaintances. Nomatter what he did they would all have had a much different life if not for him. They experienced a life that was brought only by the talent Elvis had.

[joanne]

Yes everyone was his best friend, and everyone claims to have the whole truth and nothing but the truth. To look a little deeper I don't think Elvis had a best friend. He had a few friends and thousands of aquaintances. Nomatter what he did they would all have had a much different life if not for him. They experienced a life that was brought only by the talent Elvis had.

Yes they would have had a different life thats for sure. They certainly never had to do a 9-5 job like most of us.

[0349054]

They did have to do a 5-9 job with Elvis though!

[joanne]

They didn`t have to worry about their bills, working extra shifts, doing a hard manual job like most men. They were the luckiest son of a *****es and they knew it.
They all landed on their feet when they got with Elvis and that goes for all the women too, they all saw dollar signs.

[NEA]

I think even though a number of the guys saw only dollar signs, and it just so happens that they were lucky to be classed as Elvis' close circle of friends, it still came with a substantial amount of stress. Somebody had to be trusted to take on the roles of the Road Manager, the Valet, the Sound Engineer, the Chauffeur, the PR Man, the Bodyguard, etc. Afterall, they were a part of the biggest Rock Show ensemble the world had ever seen and that meant big responsibilities.

They did work extra shifts due to the majority of them being at Elvis' beck and call more or less twelve hours a day, especially in Hollywood and on tour. Granted, they didn't really have bills to worry about but that was an immediate perk of being part of the 'Memphis Mafia'. Yes, they all landed on their feet but Elvis chose them to do what was required and if it hadn't been them, then it would have been other people by choice. Yes, the women landed on their feet too and naturally, immediately saw the dollar signs first - what woman wouldn't!! (lol).

[KPM]

They did have to do a 5-9 job with Elvis though!

Well they all could have said I will live independent of him and his money and stand on my own. They chose to stay, if it was so terribly bad they can only blame themselves. I have had many crisis's in my life and had no where to turn, I'll bet most of us here have had money problems and lay-offs out of no-where and had literally no where to go for immediate help which was virtually free. By their own accounts they usually did not even have to mention their need and it was done. I would not know what to do with that kind of friend. In a couple of companys I worked for I was on call 24-7-that is not a new and unusual situation. In the age of beepers and cell phones many are in those positions. It went with the territory. I felt owned after a few years and went elsewhere-that was their option also. Some tell storys of being fired and having quit a few times they had an opportunity to stand alone and meet the "real world"but most came back. Red West made a pretty good living as an actor and stunt man (still does)I give him credit he did stand alone and usually came back on his terms- pretty much. The rest I can not say as much for.

[NEA]

Well they all could have said I will live independent of him and his money and stand on my own. They chose to stay, if it was so terribly bad they can only blame themselves.

How could they have lived independently from Elvis when he created these positions for them because he felt a chauffeur, a valet, a bodyguard etc., was needed?...How could they stand on their own and earn money when Elvis wanted them to work for him?....should they have worked a good few hours every day for him and done it for free?

If all those guys would have agreed to live independently and not take up his offer of a job that was needed doing, then those positions still would have been available - that's the way Elvis was, he preferred to have guys around him that he knew, especially in Hollywood, so that he could create some familiar, home surroundings and not feel a total Hollywood outcast.

So, for example, if Richard Davis hadn't undertaken the role of Valet then 'Fred Bloggs' would have done it...if Sonny West hadn't undertaken the role of gopher and extra then 'Peter Perfect' would have done it...Elvis always took care of his friends and this was his way of showing that. I have not really heard any of them complain about it being so terrible apart from the fact that there was obviously a great amount of stress that came with the working schedule which is only natural anyway. I feel that the Wests and Hebler didn't really paint of picture of it being such a terrible job but it was a job that could cause a substantial amount of concern. I do feel that when Elvis was paying somebody in the MM a little more attention than anyone else, that old childish nutshell of 'Jealously' crept in. This was probably a major downside that they didn't handle very well.

[joanne]

Well they all could have said I will live independent of him and his money and stand on my own. They chose to stay, if it was so terribly bad they can only blame themselves. I have had many crisis's in my life and had no where to turn, I'll bet most of us here have had money problems and lay-offs out of no-where and had literally no where to go for immediate help which was virtually free. By their own accounts they usually did not even have to mention their need and it was done. I would not know what to do with that kind of friend. In a couple of companys I worked for I was on call 24-7-that is not a new and unusual situation. In the age of beepers and cell phones many are in those positions. It went with the territory. I felt owned after a few years and went elsewhere-that was their option also. Some tell storys of being fired and having quit a few times they had an opportunity to stand alone and meet the "real world"but most came back. Red West made a pretty good living as an actor and stunt man (still does)I give him credit he did stand alone and usually came back on his terms- pretty much. The rest I can not say as much for.

Red West admitted that Elvis helped him with his acting career due to his contacts etc.
Did anyone ever see the film with Matt Damon and Danny De Vito called The Rainmaker which was filmed in Memphis in 1997.
Red West was in it albeit it was only a small part and I don`t think he spoke at all in the movie.
It was great to see a few parts of Memphis including The Courthouse. It was a great film.
This is the kind of movie that Elvis should have done I can just see him playing Matt Damon`s part.
John Grisham movies are usually set in the deep south and The Firm (1993) which starred Tom Cruise was also filmed in Memphis and I remember seeing Tom Cruise walking down Beale Street and at the end it shows him on Mud Island.
The Client (1994) was also filmed in Memphis.
I really like John Grisham movies and they are usually superb.