The Memphis Mafia

[franny]

Remember, Jerry was also on the 'Nixon Mission' along with Sonny West in December, 1970. But, perhaps one of the 'brawny' types of the MM have singled him out of the group because it so happens that Jerry has got 'brains' as well as 'brawn'??

NEA.

NEA, I agree with you there...Jerry does have brains and the brawn...

franny

[Ejm1059]

I saw "Elvis: The last 24 hours . All of Elvis's "friends" were talking about where they were when Elvis died. First Lamar went off talking about his addiction to drugs and that " he just f****** loved it! Then Sonny West went on even further saying "Elvis knew what he was doing, it was his own fault." What friend says that? I mean really C'MON ! I really didn't think Lamar was that petty. Yea! Elvis teased him alot, but he was also very kind to him. It's just sad that they are being so cruel now that Elvis is gone.

[Eve]

I like Charlie, Joe and Jerry Schilling

[vulcandude]

I think for the most part, when the group was started and it was smaller, the guys were truly Elvis' friends- including Red and Sonny West. But as time went on, especially by the 70s, the guys saw how they could take advantage of Elvis, or even being associated with him, whether it be to get money, cars, girls, or drugs from Dr. Nick. I think that's especially true with Red and Sonny. However, I firmly believe people like Jerry Schilling or Joe Esposito or Charlie Hodge WERE Elvis' friends, right to the end. I think Ginger was there just cause Elvis was Elvis, but I think Linda really cared for him. I've met various Memphis Mafia guys....I once met George Klein, and he was real sincere in his love for Elvis. While the Memphis Mafia may have attained a certain rep over the years, I do truly believe Elvis had true friends in his corner. And although he wasn't in the Memphis Mafia, I think J.D. Sumner was a true friend to him as well. Just some of my opinion on the subject.

[presley]

I agree too!

[srj1967]

For what it's worth, here is a link to an interview I did with Sonny West when he came to Australia in May 2005. Very nice man to chat to; he gave me hours of his time, and I got to see his show. Although I thought his book with Red and Dave Hebler was bitter, there was a lot of truth in it ...

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/inte...nny_west.shtml

As for the others, here's what I think:

Charlie Hodge: I know everyone says he was nice, and I;m sure he was. But he always annoyed me. Way too sycophantic. Money never interested him, but fame and the Elvis connection certainly did. He ruins the '68 sitdown shows with his goings on.

Joe Esposito: one smart guy. The others were jealous.

Larry Geller: total ***hole. Really bad influence on Elvis.

Red West: best of the bunch. Tough, loyal. And not a bad actor either. Suffered most when Vernon did the firings in '76.

Jerry Schilling: loyal, but very shifty. Untrustworthy. To this day.

Lamar Fike: poor bastard. Elvis and the guys treated him like a joke. The TTWII and On Tour outtakes show this.

Dave Hebler: sitter, twisted ***hole if ever there was one.

George Klein: spoke to him recently from Memphis. Still devoted to Elvis, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on about him.

Billy Smith: loved Elvis unquestionably. I'd like to speak to him one day.

Marty Lacker: really enjoyed his book years ago.

[PiersEIN]

J. Esposito was indeed Elvis' closest friend and "trusted" confidant. Elvis seemed to appreciate the way Joe handled his business.

C'mon - That is what Joe says!!!!

Of all his "friends" it was cousin Billy Smith who was there sharing Elvis' sad, final hardest years.
Billy Smith was Elvis? first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley?s oldest brother. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. Billy?s family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy?s family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. When Billy was old enough he started working with the ?Memphis Mafia? team.

Once married he & his wife Jo lived behind the main Graceland house except for a few years when Billy worked on the railroad. They were true family and were in Elvis? company to the very final day. Being both family, and also a member of the ?Memphis Mafia?, Billy Smith was probably the closest friend that Elvis ever had.

EIN has interviewed Billy Smith, Marty Lacker & Lamar Fike recently. (Charlie Hodge too).

Go here for BILLY's interview

I also have great respect for Larry Geller who at least tried his best to help Elvis get healthy. Larry's take on The Colonel is very emotional.
http://www.elvisinfonet.com/gellar.html

The Colonel was NOT Elvis' best friend!

He also mentions 'Diamond Joe' working for The Colonel & spying on Elvis -

EIN - What about the rumour that Joe worked for the Colonel and Elvis?
Larry Geller - Elvis seemed to know and resent that. I feel uncomfortable going over specifics as it wouldn't be kind but there is much more about that in the new 'Colonel' book.

They are all fascinating guys to talk too.

Cheers
Piers

[PiersEIN]

Larry Geller: total ***hole. Really bad influence on Elvis.

I'd love to know why you can possibly think Larry Geller was bad for Elvis. Jeez. Health food, books & spiritual search is certainly better than drugs, late nights & fast food.
(If possibly, not as much fun!)
It may be simple but a vegetarian, rice based diet would have helped Elvis be alive today.

What about Larry confronting the sadistic Colonel who knew da*mn well that Elvis should not have been touring - & should have been in rehab!??

Cheers
Piers

[poormansgold]

There people whom know Elvis THat out there for Money, one that true friend is Joe Esposito, I got talk To Joe by E-mail one year and he is true and soft talking person.
I wish That last them be like Joe.