Graceland Official Auction August 2017

7 unique things connected to Elvis Presley March 2016 Edition

Rare Elvis Presley interview at Hilton Hawaiian Village in 1972 (audio)

*** VIDEO courtesy of YouTube ***

This rare interview took place on November 20, 1972 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This interview is concerning the first ever television event broadcast live via satellite.

I was around 10 years old at the time and being an Elvis fan, and having read all I could get my hands on about this as well as I was a fan of Popular Mechanics and other "nerdish" publications the combination of Elvis live to a billion people to one and half billion people was...amazing.

Putting together a multi nation concert, with satellite technology, had never been contemplated that so many people, from so many nations, could watch Elvis perform live simultaneously. Out of all of the entertainment genres they wisely chose Elvis for they knew he was the only performer/entertainer who would meet/exceed the estimated one billion to one and a half billion viewers as he was loved by fans in every corner of the world.

Elvis lost weight, rehearsed, and though initially overwhelmed with the thought (and the knowledge that his relationship with Priscilla had deteriorated for the past year and the subject of his marriage comes up in this interview and his "marriage future" and Elvis' answer seemed to be a sad acceptance) he put together a great show and exceeded the charitable goals by well of 50% (i.e. Kui Lee cancer foundation).

Elvis loved Hawaii and with each passing year we heard, read about, saw, etc. Elvis' deterioration (i.e. physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc) none of us believed that in less than 5 years from the date of his interview Elvis would die at his home in Memphis Tennessee at the age of 42.


Jeff Schrembs - 2016 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

www.ElvisCollector.info

www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

Elvis Presley - Bridge over troubled water 1974 live rendition

Thanks YouTube

Rare footage of Elvis Presley performing Houston Astrodome in 1970 (via YouTube)

Elvis Presley The Karate Years via YouTube random video good audio

Whats up with Jeff Schrembs not posting to this blog?

I apologize to everyone who follows, reads, etc. this blog.

I have been remiss in updating this blog but the beauty of mistakes is that we can learn from them and adjust accordingly.

So here are some facts about Elvis and cars. I hope you enjoy it.

Elvis Presley had a life-long love affair with motor cars. Beginning in the '50s with Cadillac’s, including the Pink Cadillac that he eventually gave to his mother - probably the most famous car in the world - to a second hand Volkswagen and two BMW 507s in Germany. 

In the '60s there were more Cadillac’s, Ford Lincoln's and a Rolls Royce among many others. In the '70s, again Elvis purchased Cadillac’s, a Mercedes-Benz 600, even a Ford T-Bird - but his most prized cars of the 1970s were his Stutz Blackhawk's. Elvis was the first person to own a Stutz Blackhawk, and there can be no doubt his favorite car of the 1970s was his 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III.

Billy Smith: I remember when Elvis got his driver's license. My daddy was working for Precision Tool. He was making fairly good money, and he had just bought a '51 Chevrolet, with a sun visor and all. Elvis wanted to borrow it to take his driver's test, and my daddy let him have it.

When he went to take his test, we all went. Elvis was sitting in the front with Daddy and Vernon. Very seldom did he ever say anything dirty in front of them. But a guy pulled out in front of daddy, and Elvis yelled, 'Watch where you're going, you son of a bitch!' We were all shocked, you know. The car got real quiet. That year, Elvis won the Safe Driving Award at school.

Joe Esposito: Elvis had a lot of cars. The first thing that attracted him was the looks of the car. He didn't care if it was a $5,000 car or a $50,000 car or what brand it was, although he was very partial to American-made cars. He really liked Cadillac’s and Lincolns, also some Chryslers. We bought a few foreign cars like the Rolls Royce because it was very prestigious and looked great, a Mercedes limousine and a Ferrari, but mostly his cars were American-made. He was very patriotic when it came to that.

If Elvis saw a car he liked in the window, he'd stop and buy it. That was basically it. If the dealership was closed and we knew the owner, we'd call and wake him up. We'd say, 'Listen, Elvis wants to buy this car'. Naturally the guy would meet us there, because if he didn't, Elvis would say, 'Well, we'll find someplace else'.

In early March, 1955 Elvis bought his first Pink Cadillac.

It was a pink and white 1954 Cadillac and provided transportation for Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys for about three months. The car went up in smoke when a brake lining caught fire, on the road between Hope and Texarkana, Ark. on June 5, 1955. 'The first car I bought was the most beautiful car I've ever seen. It was second hand but I parked it outside my hotel the day I got it and stayed up all night just looking at it. The next day, it caught fire and burned up on the road...' Elvis Presley

Hawaii 1977 - (sadly) the last vacation of Elvis Presley

By Jeff Schrembs - 2014 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THE LAST VACATION .. HAWAII, MARCH 1977

In Elvis' mind the vacation had begun several months before.
He had commented that everyone had been working very hard with the completed heavy tour schedule, and a Vacation was needed.
Typically, he would not say where, just that it would be a nice surprise for everyone.
Preparation began in earnest about the middle of February.
After months of false hints, Elvis finally announced that Hawaii was the chosen location.
Members of the group were dispatched in advance to the islands, making arrangements to accommodate a party of approximately 38 people.
An intricate system of timing and coordination necessary for such a vast movement, was established.
The departure date of 3rd March was set.
The afternoon of the departure dragged by as anticipation built up for the trip.
Bags were packed and the travel times were set.
By 6.00 pm everyone had assembled at Graceland and timing coordinator, Dick Grob, passed the word to start loading the plane.
Billy Smith who was over seeing Elvis' preparation, signalled that Elvis would be ready at 7.30am as planned.
Those not personally accompanying Elvis to the plane left for the airport and boarded.
Elvis came downstairs, said goodbye to his grandmother and left for the short ride to the airport,.
Around 8.00pm the door to Elvis' Convair 880, the “Lisa Marie” was closed.
The private plane taxied through the rain on the first leg of the first and last trip to Hawaii with Elvis

The “Lisa Marie” flew westward landing at Oakland International Airport in California.
It was now close to Midnight, Memphis time. Fuel was added and two other passengers from Los Angeles Boarded.
They had just arrived by a commercial flight, to connect with the Lisa Marie Plane.
The additional passengers filled the plane to capacity of 29 people; in addition to the crew of 5. which was necessary for this flight.
Shortly before 1.00am Memphis time, the “Lisa Marie” was again airborne, westward over the Pacific Ocean.
When it landed in Hawaii the plane was met by the four members of the advance party who had been alerted by phone.
The “Lisa Marie”, with Elvis and the group, arrived in Hawaii in the early morning hours of 4th March 1977.
Elvis left his plane and went directly to his suite on the 31st Floor, RAINBOW TOWERS, HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE HOTEL.
The front cover (see 1st post) is the first view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head that Elvis saw as he looked from the balcony of his suite.
The remaining group occupied 15 other rooms on the same floor with equally spectacular views.
After two days at the hotel, Elvis rented a Beach House in Kailua, Hawaii on the other side of the island of Oahu.
Elvis lived in the house with his girl friend & cousin Billy Smith, his personal security guard; Dick Grob, and four others.
The remaining group travelled daily the route from the hotel, across the mountains through Pali Pass, to the Beach House.
Elvis spent the days on the Beaches of Kailus Bay,
or lying in the sun by the pool at the house on Kaapuni Drive.
He took time out from the Beaches to go shopping at the Ala Mona Shopping Centre in Honolulu,
and several stores in the town of Kailua.
Elvis also purchased clothing, sunglasses, and other items for himself and others in the group.
He also enjoyed a night of native dances and native food at the Polynesia Cultural Centre,
at Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus, located near Laie, Hawaii

While staying at the Beach House, Elvis talked with everyone, watched television, listened to music and generally relaxed.
He played ping pong with those staying at the Beach House and enjoyed barbecues at night.
He also ate his regular diet of cheeseburgers, pizza, and bacon and eggs during the time he was in Kailua.

On the Beach he relaxed enjoying conversation with his friends, and played touch football with all the guys.
This was a no-quarter game, full of the rough-house tactics and laughter, that Elvis loved so much.
Several players including Elvis sustained minor injuries from running into fences, palm trees, and occasionally other players.
The pictures in The Last Vacation Booklet (see cover above)
were taken on the vast white sand beaches of KAILUA BAY
showing Elvis relaxed, content, and enjoying the companionship of his close friends.
The laughter, recreation, and good times found on the Beaches carried over into the house.
On the 13th of March, the entire party checked out of the hotel and departed Hawaii for the mainland.
Thus ended ~Elvis' ~”LAST VACATION”
in Hawaii and the holiday his generosity had provided his loyal employees and friends.
Attachment:
Jerry Hopkins 2nd book had this Page of Info...
It was decided that Elvis and his party would leave from Oakland because it was two hundred miles closer to Honolulu than Los Angeles. He was taking the Lisa Marie and wanted every margin of safety in fuel loading. Not one to do anything by halves, however, Elvis took thirty-one others with him, and had Joe Esposito reserve more than a dozen rooms in the Hilton Rainbow Tower and rent a house on the beach.
The beach house, in Kailua, about half an hour's drive from Honolulu, was for Elvis and Ginger and her sisters, plus one bodyguard, the former Palm Springs policeman Dick Grob. The others stayed in the hotel and came over during the day or joined Elvis on his rare public forays. One evening, for instance, they were sneaked into the Polynesian Cultural Center to watch the Polynesian show. Other times, he took Ginger and her sisters and some of the others to one of the small shopping centers in Kailua, buying presents for everyone and, on one occasion, paying the bill for a stranger who was making a pur­chase for his wife.
Most of the ten days in Hawaii were spent close to home, sitting on the beach, playing Ping-Pong at the house, or touch football on the sand. Those who had been with Elvis for some time said later that his health improved during the vacation, said his color was better, his eyes brighter and clearer.
There was another observer who hadn't seen Elvis in some time, and he was shocked. This was Kalani Simerson, a onetime performer who operated a successful limousine service. He had known Elvis, and had worked for him, since the early 1960s, when Elvis made his first films in Hawaii.
The last time he had seen Elvis was when he weighed a trim 170 or so for the satellite television show. As before, Kalani was again called to make some of the arrangements for Elvis's visit, and because of his long­standing friendship, he was invited to join Elvis on the beach socially.
"We played football," Kalani says, "and it was sad, very sad. Elvis was overweight and just unable to function normally. I guess it was all that medication they said he took. Somebody'd throw him the ball and he'd catch it and start running and he couldn't stop. He just wasn't able to control his own body. One time he ran right into a cyclone fence and cut his hand."
On the fourteenth day, Elvis got some sand in his eyes and abruptly the vacation was ended. Five days after that he was back on tour again.

ED PARKER in his 1978 BOOK (Inside Elvis) ..remembers all the following Details
It was January, 1977; we were in Charlotte, North Carolina. Elvis had just completed a show and he looked haggard... spent. "I need a rest," he confessed.
"Aw, it's nothing a few weeks in Hawaii couldn't cure," I parried.
"Yeah, yeah, I've been thinking about that. And Ginger's never been there. It would be kind of nice if I could take her over there and show her the Islands."
That was the opening I had been looking for. I left It up to Elvls to bring up the subject of Ginger. But once the subject was raised I used every opportunity to remind her of the attractions the Islands had to offer. I mentioned that Ginger was my favorite flower and that it grew wild in the Islands, and that haunting fragrance was one of the memories that tourists took home with them.
We talked about the beautiful white sand beaches, the lush flower Island, and the opportunities available to relax away from the tempo of mainland life. Elvls' casual desire for a trip to the Islands soon matured Into a full-blown plan for departure. Ginger became excited as the possibility shifted toward becoming a reality.
In the latter part of February I got a call from Charlie Hodge. "It looks like the boss has finally made up his mind, Ed. Then again, he may change it. But as it stands now, plan toward going to the Islands about the first of March. Elvls wants Lellanl to come. Can you make it?"
"We'll do it!" I said.
We met Elvis in Oakland, California, during the second week in March. He decided that Oakland should be the departure point because it is 2OO miles closer to Oahu than Los Angeles, That gave an extra margin of safety in fuel loading. Because of the extensive remodeling Elvis had done on the Lisa Marie, the guest list for this trip would be limited to 28 individuals (not including the 5 crew members). Elvis had invited with him on this escape trip those individuals he felt he could trust. They were a small nucleus of those whose love for Elvis had never wavered. They and their families were to be Elvis' guests for 10 days, at the Hilton Rainbow Towers in Honolulu.
This was an incredibly expensive trip. Fuel alone for the round trip was nearly 825.OOO. Elvis also leased a house on the opposite side of the Island. This became his retreat during the day. There he could relax and enjoy himself without the ever present threat of hotel guests interrupting him. These were happy relaxing days for Elvis. He basked in the sun, played football, walked around in "grubbies" and sampled many island delicacies that he had never tasted before.
There was no formality at our gatherings.
We sat on the ground cross legged and ate native style with our fingers. Elvis sampled guava cake and haopia cake, a delicacy that is laced with fresh coconut. I offered to treat Elvis to poi, knowing what his reaction would be. I was right, he rolled his eyes and said, "No thanks, I'm not going to be putting up any wallpaper today!"
Elvis made periodic forays to the small shopping centers on the windward side of the Island. He wanted to take Ginger and her sisters, Tille and Rosemary, on a shopping spree. Elvis played Santa Claus, and he loved the role.
While shopping he noticed a man buying items for his wife. Elvis waited until the man was about to pay his check, stepped in and insisted on buying it for him. The man was dumbfounded; he ran across the street, called his wife and told her what had happened.
By the next day the story had gone all over the Islands. That was not what Elvis had intended. His sole purpose in shopping at this out of the way place was to retain some semblance of privacy and anonymity. His generous nature had gotten the best of him.
As the days progressed, I could see the color returning to Elvis' cheeks.
His complexion had improved, and he had begun to regain some of his stamina.
ED PARKER in his 1978 BOOK..remembers all the following Details..#Part 2..
I finally had an opportunity to do something for my friend who had done so much for me. One of the key attractions on the Islands is the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's one of the few places in the world where the ancient island culture is retained. I suggested to Joe that this would be a unique opportunity for Elvis and the rest of his party. I wanted them to be my guests. The next day Elvis said that Joe had talked to him and that he was pleased with the suggestion. "This would be great for Ginger," Elvis said. "We haven't had a chance to go anywhere and see anything.
Do they have all of the old island dances there, Ed?"
"They've got dances from all of the islands there, Elvis —Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Maori, dancers from New Zealand; but, Elvis, wait till you see the dancers from Tonga. They come out with spears and fans and they are all painted up. The gals will never forget it!"
"We're looking forward to it, Ed."
It took two days to work out the security details to enable Elvis and his party to enjoy themselves without being Imposed upon. The Polynesians at the Cultural Center were very coopera­tive. Elvis, the night of the performance, laughed and joked and thoroughly enjoyed himself. It pleased me to see my friend more relaxed than he had been for years. He was still not his former self, but there was a vast improvement. We arrived under cover of darkness.
The show had already started. But there still amassed a body of fans waiting for Elvis on the outside. Word had gotten out, and they insisted on seeing the King. Unlike mainland fans, they admired him from a distance, respected his privacy, and let him enter the show unmolested. Elvis commented on this courtesy many times before his death.
The show was spectacular. Immediately before inter­mission a member of the staff lead us to a first aid room to await the second half of the show.
We were served pineapple halves filled with ice cream. During the intermission, Elvis asked me about something he had seen that intrigued him.
"Ed, I saw this haole guy talking to a big Samoan dude and he spoke like a native. How come?"
"Elvis, that was one of the missionaries from our church. He served a two year mission in Samoa. After they're there for a few months, they speak like natives."
"That's someth'n else! Two years huh? Does it pay pretty good?"
I had to smile at that question, "They pay their own way, they receive absolutely no pay whatsoever while they're on their mission."
Well, how do they live?" Elvis asked.
"They either save the money before they go, or their family supports them during that period of time."
Elvis thought for a moment, "That's really something!"
The show resumed and I watched my friend in the reflected glare of the fire dancers' torches. He was happy. He was at peace. And for the first time in many months he was thoroughly enjoying himself. For a change he was being entertained instead of entertaining others. Those special moments were soon but a memory.
We returned to the mainland, and Elvis resumed his hectic pace.
The trip had been good for him. He slept better, he had more stamina, and I felt that his health had improved greatly..
LARRY GELLER chatting with ELVIS

4th MARCH 1977
Rainbow Towers Hawaiian Village Hotel, Honolulu
We're here at last on a vacation that was long overdue.
Everyone is drained from the grueling effects of being on the road and the enormous pressures of working for Elvis under unforeseen, horren­dous conditions.
The one-nighters; the debilitating winter cold; taking care of Elvis, an exhausting job unto itself—all have taken their toll. Everyone looks older than they are.
Elvis is a driven man and he needs this rest more than anyone else.
He desperately requires more than a short vacation in Hawaii. Hopefully this will signal some kind of change, because his condition is getting worse, and this short surcease from agony is just the tonic—for the time being. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."
I can see on everyone's face the relief of just being in this tropical paradise.
The Rainbow Towers has a spectacular view from the thirty-first floor. Elvis spent most of the daylight hours on his balcony today with its panoramic view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.
His suite was open to any of the entourage, and their wives and girlfriends, who cared to come in and visit with him.
He is so happy being here, pointing out the various points of interest to all from his balcony. Ginger has two sisters, Terry and Rosemary, with her, and Elvis is taking great pride and joy in providing this trip for them.
Actually, there are thirty-eight of us: what a family Elvis has adopted.
Everyone is hopeful that Elvis will take full advantage of this golden opportunity to get outdoors, exercise and eat better, instead of his typical fried-food diet and stuffing himself with cheeseburgers and fried potatoes right before he goes to sleep.
Health and nurturing are everywhere. The air is clean and aromatic, and the Hawaiian fragrance of pineapples and tropical flowers in this atmo­sphere has already enveloped all of us.
It's so seductive.
5th MARCH 1977 part 2
Feeling fantastic in Hawaiian bliss, dressed loose and comfortably in my new Hawaiian floral shirt. As I entered Elvis' suite, he had just come out of his bedroom to have some breakfast. A few of the guys were hanging around on the balcony. As I approached Elvis, he smiled and greeted me with "Aloha, L.G."
"Aloha, E."
Some weeks ago, when I gave Elvis a complete kit of vitamins and minerals for his birthday, he took them for only two days. Now I felt this was an ideal opportunity to direct him toward a healthier regimen. I placed in front of him on, the coffee table a packet of vitamins and minerals I had prepared.
"Take this power pack, Elvis. It will pick you up and give you some natural energy. I put in some extra E and a potent combination of the B complex, vitamin C and some minerals. If you take these every day, they will help strengthen you. "
Elvis opened the vitamin pack and gulped them down with fresh orange juice.
Then he looked over to me with a grin and said, "I want to get these down before Dr. Nick comes in.
Remember last year when we were on tour and you came in with a load of vitamin pills like these for me? And Dr. Nick said, 'That crap doesn't work; he doesn't need those'? Well, you know, he's a doctor, and most of them are locked into the old traditional-medicine ways .of doing things, that's how they've been trained. I don't want to hear him bitch and complain again. Doctors think they know everything."
For the remainder of the day Elvis stayed in his suite relaxing, spending a lot of time sitting on the balcony, enjoying the view and this incredible tropical air wafting through the open balcony win­dows.
The majority of the group spent the day on the beach in front of the Rainbow Towers, went shopping and then went out for dinner at the various restaurants that are part of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.
6th MARCH 1977 part 3
Elvis decided to rent a beach house in Kailua on Kaapuni Drive, on the other side of the island.
This will provide the privacy he requires, so that he can lie in the sun by the pool or go down to the beach
This afternoon we all played football together for the first time in well over a year.
Elvis played so hard that Joe told him to go slowly, because he wasn't used to moving his body like that and it was dangerous for his heart.
But there's no stopping Elvis once he has his mind set on something.
7th MARCH 1977 - OAHU part 4
Elvis was sore today due to yesterday's vigorous football clash.
In fact, most of us feel the effects of roughhousing it yesterday.
We all sat by the ocean most of the afternoon relaxing and joking with one another, and by the expressions on everyone's face it looks as though we died and went to heaven.
I can't remember the last time Elvis was outdoors in the sunshine, playing and enjoying himself so much. It's like the old days. God willing, this will shake him out of his stupor.
Strangely, he won't expose his body. No matter how hot it is, he wears his athletic pants, a short-sleeve sweatshirt, a terrycloth hat with the brim turned down and his sunglasses. Is there some other reason than the beach being open to the public?
8th~9th MARCH, 1977 Kailua Bay Part 5
Author/inventor Bernard Benson invited Charlie, Celest and me to his beach house a few miles from Elvis'. Bernard has arranged a special meeting for us with the leading Tibetan Buddhist master of the Hawaiian Island, Rimposhe, who escaped Chinese invasion of Tibet. We first met Bernard in Las Vegas last December, and he's been an avid Elvis fan ever since.
Rimposhe does not speak English, which, in the long run, doesn't matter. He is a small, radiant man. I could not take my eyes off him. He was clothed like a lama, wearing the traditional saffron robe. His face was a very fine Mongolian type, and beautifully formed: a high brow with piercing yet happy eyes, and his face lit up as if the energy of the sun was shining from it. He smiled a smile of one who knows.
We all sat together in Bernard's large living room overlooking the magnificent Kailua Bay. Everyone was silent for an hour or so. The meeting had a tremendous healing effect on me, and I realized that the silence and the electricity in the air were releasing layers of tension and frustrations that had gradually accumulated. I felt it slowly melting and dissolving as I sat with this mysterious, still, silent man. I saw him turn to his attendant devotee, a young Tibetan clad in an orange robe and with a shaved head. I saw his lips move but could not hear his softly whispered words.
The young monk said, "Master said, 'One can never "know" truth that is beyond the mind; the mind can only create an idea of truth, an image of truth. Truth is the creativeness behind all creation, yet that which is created is not truth. Only the uncreated is creative, and that is the truth. Therefore, discover in the silence of the mind the true unity in all things. Disregard personal separation. Live in the conscious realization of your oneness with the Creator of all mankind.' "
The young monk then said to me, "You should do a meditation, 'Om mani padme om.' "(Translated, it means "The jewel in the center of the lotus," a symbol of the divinity within the flesh.)
10th MARCH, 1977 Kailua Bay Part 6
Elvis' Beach House, Kailua Bay
This afternoon Charlie and I related our experience at Bernard's to Elvis and asked if he wanted an audience with the Master. Elvis was hesitant.
"Not now, Charlie. I have a little trouble with that one. I don't need to meet any masters right now."
"I'm on the right path." He waved a spiritual book he was holding and clutched the chai he was wearing around his neck. "I'm sure you had a good experience and they're good people, but not now—maybe some other time."
11th MARCH 1977
Ed Parker, a strict Mormon who was raised in Hawaii, set up an evening for Elvis and the entire group to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center at the Hawaii campus of Brigham Young University. We all piled into a caravan of vehicles at about 8 p.m. and drove for about thirty minutes to the Center.
Through Ed's organizing with the campus and local security and Elvis' personal security staff, we were secretly ushered into the open-air pavilion, so that Elvis went unnoticed among the hundreds of tourists—until he reached his seat.
Within moments his presence became known. News spread like wildfire, and most eyes were glued to our special section in the grandstands where Elvis was enjoying himself, instead of on the exciting show 13th MARCH, 1977 Kailua Bay Part 7
Elvis decided it was time to leave paradise. The next tour begins on the twenty-third, and he wants to spend some time back home at Graceland.
One by one, he presented everyone with a special gift.
Afterward he said, "I gave everyone gifts so that they would have something to remember our trip to Hawaii and us all, happily, being together.
"This trip cost a good one hundred thousand, but money is not what matters.
Before we left they even had me sign that "WILL". Y'know, just in case, flying over the ocean and all that. Only it's the times like this, sharing not the money, but the good times, that transcend money."
Back on the mainland, we all returned to our homes to prepare for the next tour, a nine-day swing through Middle America. Though everyone enjoyed the vacation, and Elvis did get to relax, it wasn't nearly enough. End

QUESTION: Can you tell us a little about THE LAST VACATION? Elvis seemed to be in excellent spirits,
Resting and Sunbathing with you on the Beach and having a lot of fun.
GINGER: My time with Elvis was so special and the Hawaiian Vacation was alot of fun.
Elvis knew I had never been to Hawaii and wanted to take my whole family but only my sisters could go at this time.
We left on my sister Terry's Birthday, the 3rd of March. He was in a great mood, despite the fact, he had mentioned that more of his group had asked to go along and he reluctantly let them.
My Sisters and I stayed with Elvis in the back of the Lisa Marie during the flight as he joked, laughed and sang.
The trip was so beautiful, but unfortunately cut short when Elvis irritated one of his eyes and we had to return to Memphis.
I felt he genuinely had a good time on this trip and it was so wonderful to see him relax, go out to a shopping mall and sing. I have never forgotten the thrill of that Vacation.
ROSEMARY: (Ginger's Sister) Yes, Elvis wanted to take our whole family but they couldn't leave their jobs so Terry and myself went along with Ginger. We had a great time in Hawaii seeing Elvis relax and take in some sun.
QUESTION:
Rosemary, can you tell us about the Famous Photograph
- when Elvis has dived on top of you ?
ROSEMARY:
Yes, I have taken a lot of ribbing over the years with that photo!
We were at a Vacation Home in Hawaii and a few of us were talking with Elvis.
I noticed that he kept cutting his eyes over in my direction when he suddenly got up,
started to walk past me then threw himself on top of me!
Elvis and I were laughing so hard and I just more or less spontaneously,
Threw my leg into the air and someone took the photo.
I still can't help but laugh every time I see that picture!
QUESTION:
Did you see any sign of Elvis' Drugs Problems.......
SHIRLEY:
..Never .....I never saw it... as a matter of fact, I remember when we were there, he said, "Joe, why don't you order up some of those drinks with the Umbrellas in them?"
So Joe ordered some Mai-tais, or whatever they were, and Elvis would sit there and take a little sip of it and you could tell he couldn't stand it, you know.
I've had people say to me that he drank a lot too.
I never saw him drink and I remember that Mai-tai thing, that's the only time I saw him drink alcohol and he'd drink it like I did, one sip at a time, not really enjoying it.
But it was a Fun Vacation, kind of neat because we ended up leaving the hotel and renting a House so Elvis could go out more.
He tried to be more active, he tried to play football with the guys.

SHIRLEY:
Now this is starting to sound like a Me, Me, Me Interview, but you know the photos taken in Hawaii?
And Joe will attest to this to, I swear to god that it's true.. Joe used to do a lot of photography, and we were on the beach and he was taking photos of me.
Elvis was sitting there with Ginger and Rosemary and Elvis would say
"Hey Joe, why don't you take a picture of Me and Shirley?"
ELVIS SANG "IN THE MISTY MOONLIGHT" TO JOES GIRLFRIEND (RARE FACT)
INTERVIEW with Shirley...
.....In another he is singing "IN THE MISTY MOONLIGHT"
Elvis was actually going to record that song for me. I used to say to him "You know Elvis, you would sing that song so well, that song was made for you" and he would say, "You know, give me the music on that, I might wanna do it."
Here's the funny thing about it; he told me that he was going to record it, and he told Charlie Hodge to get the music.
The night he passed away, the music was laying right next to his bed.

Some extra comments (various Sources)
ELVIS made plans during the stay to show Ginger the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
Which was only cancelled at the last minute !
Everyone remarked on how relaxed Elvis seemed:
At times he appeared to enjoy Terry Alden's company almost as much as her sister's
Ginger got Elvis to play Ping-Pong with her ~ despite Elvis saying that he felt foolish,
swinging at a little ball that he could hardly ever keep on the table.
Joe is quoted as saying "The holiday was a painful exercise in Nostalgia"
Dr. Nick got concerned when Elvis got some sand in his eye!
and thought the Cornea might be scratched...
saying it might be better for Elvis to return to Graceland to recuperate!
With Characteristic generosity Elvis picked out a gift for each member of the party
to serve as remembrance of the good times that they had had......
and promised GINGER that next time they would have the experience for themselves.
C170 DOCUMENTS FROM HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE
Statement on white paper addressed to Elvis Presley from Hilton Hawaiian Village plus blue car­bon copy. Statement dated April 1, 1977 from dates in March totals $16,931.48.
Copy of a two-page detailed ledger for Elvis Presley and 18 other guests under the name, "Esposito Group."
Copy of a bill from Hawaiian Telephone dated 28th March, 1977 with check marks next to three calls to Memphis and one call to Palm Springs made from the Hilton by Elvis Presley.
Also attached are 44 pages of individual receipts from the Hilton Hawaiian Village and a piece of adding machine tape. Original envelope included.
Eight-page book entitled "The Last Vacation, Hawaii March 1977." Tells the story of Elvis' Hawaiian vacation and shows pictures. Photograph includ­ed. 11x8 1/2 inches state­ment. 14x8 1/2 inches ledger. 11x81/2 inches phone bill. 71/2x6 1/4 inches individual receipts. 6 1/4 x 2" adding tape. 71/2x101/2 inches envelope. 11x8 1/2 inches "The Last Vacation."
Hawaii was a favorite vacation spot of Elvis'. He wanted to show Hawaii to Ginger Alden, his girl­friend, so he planned a two-week Hawaiian vaca­tion.
It began as a romantic getaway for two, how­ever, it quickly escalated into a travelling crowd of 30 family and friends, with Ginger's family being among the first to be added to the guest list.
C170 Lot estimated bid range - $4,500 - 5,000
Final accepted BID = Lot 170 ($2,500) C170 - DOCUMENTS FROM HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLA
ELVIS' LAST WILL was signed and witnessed... "3rd March 1977"
...Earlier in the same day... before they flew to HAWAII.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel - Waikiki Beach - Ohau
Ilikai Hotel (adjacent to the Hawaiian Village) - Waikiki Beach - Ohau
Coco Palms Resort (closed / devastated by Hurricane Iniki) Wailua - Kauai
1957: Hawaiian Village Hotel : Honolulu / Shofield Baracks concert
1961: Hawaiian Village Hotel : Bloch Arena concert /
1961: (continues from Concert...) Blue Hawaii (+ movie scene) / Coco Palms Resort (movie finale)
1962: Hawaiian Village Hotel : Girls, Girls, Girls
1965: Ilikai Hotel: Paradise Hawaiian Style
1968: Ilikai Hotel: Vacation (May)
1969: Ilikai Hotel / Coco Palms Resort: Vacation (May)
1969: Hawaiian Village Hotel : vacation (Oct)
1972: Hawaiian Village Hotel : November Concert / press conference
1973: Hawaiian Village Hotel : Aloha from Hawaii (January arrival / rehearsals)
1977: Hawaiian Village Hotel : Vacation arrival / - entourage stayed at the Rainbow Tower
(Elvis and selected friends moved to his rented Kailua beach house afterwards)

 

Elvis Presley was born (i.e. on January 8, 1935) 79 years ago as of January 8, 2014

Contrary to what many opine about Elvis Presley died (sadly) on August 16, 1977 at his home in Memphis Tennessee being Graceland.

As of January 8, 2014 it would be 79 years since Elvis was born.

As much as we celebrate his accomplishments, life, and his ups and downs he was human and he make many mistakes.

His story is both one of aspirations and sadness.

The end of his life should be a reminder that life is never guaranteed in length...or quality.

Elvis was not more important, or worthy, as anyone else but his story is one of a child growing up in severe poverty reaching/exceeding his dreams by; hard work, faith, persistence, and using the talents he was given...and worked hard for.

Here's hoping that everyone has the strength to use this talents and to pursue their passions.

I was recently asked if I could a month with anyone in history who would it be. They thought my answer would be Elvis but it was not. My answer was my children...and it always will be.

Happy Birthday Elvis.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info

What is not widely known about Elvis Presley?

The simple answer is... "not much" unless you follow my blogs, and those listed below, as you will always find fascinating content (i.e. stories, photos, etc.) about Elvis Presley.

Please help us to, on all social media platforms, spread the good news!

But, lets get specific about a few "lessor known things" concerning Elvis Presley so I will give you (5) five (for now):

1)   Elvis Presley was broadcast, on air via radio, many times as a child/teenager. The first major broadcast occured when Elvis was entered, by his teacher, into the "Alabama-Mississippi Fair Talent Show". Elvis sang "Old Shep" a song that; he had learned, and loved, since he was a child and that he was comfortable singing. This talent show was a live broadcast and Elvis, by the way, came in "5th or 6th place" depending on your source. Elvis wore glasses and had blonde hair and a rare photograph exists of him (thank you to the persons responsible for this rare gem) standing on stage - head slightly down - with the winner holding the trophy.

2.  Elvis, as a child, had numerous health issues with, include but are not limited to, the following ailments: asthma, cronic sleep apena, severe sleep walking,  and as a teen he had acne.

3. Elvis had a previous "marriage" prior to Priscila. Elvis, as a teenager, had a steady girlfriend and (thankfully again) there are rare photographs of them taken together while he lived in Tupelo (where he was born). Elvis cared for her so much that he took his parents marriage certificate and wrote his name, and her name, over his parents name (again there is a photograph of this document with Elvis' handwriting) and told her, as they were packing to leave to move to Memphis Tennessee, that he loved her and they were "married" and/or "would be married".

4.  The first car he bought his Mother/Parents was not a pink cadillac but a Plymouth. His Mother had no drivers license, and couldn't drive, and when he bought the pink caddy for her he used it to tour until it burned up in a fire after performing a live concert in the South.

5.   Elvis was always thankful, to his fans - family - and to God, for his success. He always questioned "why me" or "why did God choose me" or "what is my purpose in life" or "after I'm gone will anyone remember me"? These self doubts, and/or questions about life, reaffirm that Elvis was human, that Elvis sought a "higher purpose", and that Elvis was a man who loved and wanted (and succeeded) to help others and he used his fame, and wealth, to do just that. Even after these 35+ years we are "learning" new things about Elvis as well as letting new generations know about Elvis onstage and off.

For this, and other Elvis info, please check out this site and; www.ElvisCollector.info, www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (free blog), www.Elvis.com (the official Elvis Presley website), the books and online posts by Elvis "Memphis Mafia" (i.e. Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Jerry Schilling, and Joe Esposito), Lisa Marie, Priscilla Presley, and to the great Elvis historian and author Alanna Nash whose works are essential to knowing about Elvis and whose books are available on www.Amazon.com.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs 

Some facts about Colonel Parker and his relationship with Elvis Presley

NOTE - this article has an unknown author

 

Elvis thought he owed it all to Colonel Tom Parker. Others aren't so sure.

Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk was born on 26 June 1909 in Breda, Holland. He was the fifth of nine children. His father, Adam, was a liveryman who met his mother, Maria, while he was in the army. When Andreas was 16 years old, his father died, and he moved to Rotterdam. He worked as a bargeman but was entranced by the ocean-going ships in the port. It wasn't too long before he was on board a ship to New Jersey. It was thought he stowed himself away.

He was then enlisted with the US Army - they didn’t really care about papers back then - and was stationed in Hawaii. When he finally wrote home, it was in English and it was signed ' Thomas Parker'. The name was given to him by the Captain who interviewed him at the time of his enlistment.

Years later Elvis's friend Lamar Fike asked parker ' how come you never told us you were a Dutchman?' Parker looked at him and said ' Son, you never asked me'.

Parker spent several years with a touring carnival called The Johnny J. James Exposition. His special act was dancing chickens, which he achieved by hiding a hot plate under the straw of the cage! After marrying Marie Mott in 1935, Parker left the carnival to work for the Tampa Humane Society (I bet he never told them about the dancing chickens!) he then moved to Nashville and became the manager to country singer Eddie Arnold.

Parker was given an honorary commission, from an old friend called Jimmy Davis. He became Louisiana Governor and then Parker was known as the Colonel from that day onwards. Funnily enough, in March 1961, Governor Buford Ellington of Tennessee made Elvis an honorary Colonel. Elvis didn’t deem it necessary to use his title.

In 1953, Eddie Arnold fired Parker for unknown reasons. Parker then hooked up with Hank Snow and created Jamboree Attractions, which became the biggest booking agencies in the South. Yet that partnership broke up bitterly when Parker, without Snow, signed a new young talent. His name was Elvis Presley.

Parker first met Elvis in February 1955, in a Memphis Coffee Shop. Parker’s first words to Elvis were ' you got a manager, son?’ He signed Elvis onto the Jamboree Attractions and was ready to pounce on him. Elvis was still under-age in 1955, so Parker knew the contract had to be signed by his parents. Vernon was a push over but Gladys didn’t trust Parker. So to get her into his good books, backstage at one of her son's shows, she met a close friend of Parker's who told her ' Parker is a good Christian gentleman'.

Then Elvis's parents signed the contract on 15 August 1955.

Soon Parker set up a deal with RCA Records Company and Hill and Range, his own music publishers. Steve Scholes, RCA's Director of Country music, put his neck on the line by offering $23,000. Hill and Range offered a further $15,000. So with $40,000 offer in place, Parker paid Sam Phillips an agreed $35, 00 and give Elvis $5,000. Elvis signed with RCA on November 21 1955. The next day he sent a telegram to Parker in which he promised to stick with him through thick and thin, and he also loved him like a father.

On January 8, 1956, Elvis turned 21 years old and was given a new contract - To sign as an adult. It ratified all previous contracts and gave the Colonel 25% of all Elvis's earnings. Once Parker became his full time manager, he never wanted anyone else. He told the press ' I'll live and breathe Elvis 24 hours a day'.

Parker showed his nerve when he demanded $100,000 for Elvis to star in Love Me Tender. When the Producer said even Jack Lemmon didn't get that kind of money. Parker looked into his eyes and said ' Maybe Lemmon needs a new manager!’

Parker was also scared once Elvis hit Hollywood, he would see what Parker was really going. So Parker started to isolate Elvis from the outside world. That's how the Memphis Mafia started. One day songwriter Mike Stroller knocked on Elvis's hotel room door, Elvis greeted him nervously and said the Colonel wouldn’t like me doing one to one meetings.

When Elvis joined the Army, Parker told him ' Son, I consider it my patriotic duty to keep you in the 90% tax bracket'.

Parker's view was ' if you want to see Elvis Presley, you buy a ticket!’ Elvis was not allowed to give private shows, in the army or anywhere else. Also Elvis never did encores, he always left them begging for more.

During the filming of Blue Hawaii, Parker ran shouting and yelling into the middle of a scene, pointing at Elvis's watch and demanded ' if you want the watch in, you'll have to pay another 10 grand!’ No wonder Elvis began to hate making films. In public, Hal Wallis admired Parker, as a super salesman - Yet in private, he said ' I'd rather try and close a deal with the devil'. Parker really couldn’t care less about Presley's acting talent. He wanted a simple film, with cute girls and an album worth of songs. Also Parker wanted a lot of money for these films, after all he was making a fortune.

When a TV executive came to Parker offering $50,000 for a single prime time appearance by Elvis, Parker responded ' That'll be be just fine for me, but how much will you give Elvis?'

The extent of Parker's role in Elvis's wedding is disputed, some say he told Elvis to get married for publicity purposes, but it was a rushed affair with a brief guests list, which caused a huge ructions among Elvis's entourage. Parker also refused to let the happy couple have the honeymoon in Europe they wanted, he said it would upset the fans around the world. Why Elvis didn't insist on the wedding he and Priscilla really wanted is enduring mystery.

Parker was a competent hypnotist. He liked to get staff members to act like chickens and once had the Memphis Mafia barking like dogs. However, theories that Parker kept Elvis hypnotized for 20 years should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Elvis stood up to the Colonel on a handful of occasions. One was the 1968 TV Special, which Parker wanted a dull Christmassy show, thank god Elvis did it his way. It give him one of his finest, rawest performances. Then the second time happened when Parker didn’t want Elvis to record a particular song due to recording right. That song was ' Suspicious Minds'.

In 1969, Elvis went back on the road and played the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Alex Shoofy, the hotel's general manager, came to see Parker in the hotel dining room and offered a 5 year contract in which Elvis would play the hotel in February and August each year and earn $125,000 a week. Parker scribbled some terms on a red tablecloth, but he ignored inflation and tied Elvis long term. Alex Shoofy signed his agreement on the tablecloth and promptly told the press it ' was the best deal ever made in this town'. Not, perhaps, for Elvis.

Parker had a long term gambling habit and it got a lot worse in Vegas. He moved into the hotel in a fancy suite and lost million a year on the tables!

In the 70's, Elvis's income came from touring. In February 1972, he signed away one third of his tour profit to Parker.

In 1973, after a heated row, Elvis fired Parker, but he wouldn’t leave - without his million he was still waiting for. Elvis threw a fit and went on a huge drug fuelled week that culminated in a teenage girl almost overdose. Who does Elvis call to sort out the mess and keep the press away?? Parker.

Parker turned down endless offers for Elvis to tour the world. The reason was Parker was an illegal immigrant without a passport.

In 1973, RCA bought the masters - and royalty rights - of all Elvis's previous recordings for $5.4million. Jack Soden of EPE describes the deal as being right up there with the Indians selling Manhattan for 24 dollars. Seven years later, a lawyer for the Presley Estate Blacnchard Tual, concluded that Colonel Parker and RCA were probably guilty of collusion, conspiracy, fraud and misrepresentation.

In 1974, Parker set up Boxcar Enterprises to handle the merchandising business. Parker was on 40% on the income while Elvis only got 15%!

When Joe Esposito phoned Parker to tell him Elvis had died, Parkers first words were ' Oh dear god! Then after a long pause ' nothing has changed! This won’t change anything!' Within a day of Elvis's death, Parker got Vernon Presley (the executor to Elvis's will) to agree to keep al l the deals made with Elvis as they were. He also signed a deal with the merchandising company, Factors Inc. that meant Parker would take 78% of the proceeds of the forthcoming souvenir boom! At Elvis's funeral, Parker wore a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. At the cemetery he wondered away from the graveside and say by himself on a police motorbike. After Vernon's death in 1979, the courts got involved and after a long battle, a deal was struck whereby Parker was cut from all connections with the Presley Estate for a hefty sum.

Colonel Tom Parker (aka Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk) died in January 1997.

Interesting article about Colonel Parker

Elvis thought he owed it all to Colonel Tom Parker. Others aren't so sure.

Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk was born on 26 June 1909 in Breda, Holland. He was the fifth of nine children. His father, Adam, was a liveryman who met his mother, Maria, while he was in the army. When Andreas was 16 years old, his father died, and he moved to Rotterdam. He worked as a bargeman but was entranced by the ocean-going ships in the port. It wasn't too long before he was on board a ship to New Jersey. It was thought he stowed himself away.

He was then enlisted with the US Army - they didn’t really care about papers back then - and was stationed in Hawaii. When he finally wrote home, it was in English and it was signed ' Thomas Parker'. The name was given to him by the Captain who interviewed him at the time of his enlistment.

Years later Elvis's friend Lamar Fike asked parker ' how come you never told us you were a Dutchman?' Parker looked at him and said ' Son, you never asked me'.

Parker spent several years with a touring carnival called The Johnny J. James Exposition. His special act was dancing chickens, which he achieved by hiding a hot plate under the straw of the cage! After marrying Marie Mott in 1935, Parker left the carnival to work for the Tampa Humane Society (I bet he never told them about the dancing chickens!) he then moved to Nashville and became the manager to country singer Eddie Arnold.

Parker was given an honorary commission, from an old friend called Jimmy Davis. He became Louisiana Governor and then Parker was known as the Colonel from that day onwards. Funnily enough, in March 1961, Governor Buford Ellington of Tennessee made Elvis an honorary Colonel. Elvis didn’t deem it necessary to use his title.

In 1953, Eddie Arnold fired Parker for unknown reasons. Parker then hooked up with Hank Snow and created Jamboree Attractions, which became the biggest booking agencies in the South. Yet that partnership broke up bitterly when Parker, without Snow, signed a new young talent. His name was Elvis Presley.

Parker first met Elvis in February 1955, in a Memphis Coffee Shop. Parker’s first words to Elvis were ' you got a manager, son?’ He signed Elvis onto the Jamboree Attractions and was ready to pounce on him. Elvis was still under-age in 1955, so Parker knew the contract had to be signed by his parents. Vernon was a push over but Gladys didn’t trust Parker. So to get her into his good books, backstage at one of her son's shows, she met a close friend of Parker's who told her ' Parker is a good Christian gentleman'.

Then Elvis's parents signed the contract on 15 August 1955.

Soon Parker set up a deal with RCA Records Company and Hill and Range, his own music publishers. Steve Scholes, RCA's Director of Country music, put his neck on the line by offering $23,000. Hill and Range offered a further $15,000. So with $40,000 offer in place, Parker paid Sam Phillips an agreed $35, 00 and give Elvis $5,000. Elvis signed with RCA on November 21 1955. The next day he sent a telegram to Parker in which he promised to stick with him through thick and thin, and he also loved him like a father.

On January 8, 1956, Elvis turned 21 years old and was given a new contract - To sign as an adult. It ratified all previous contracts and gave the Colonel 25% of all Elvis's earnings. Once Parker became his full time manager, he never wanted anyone else. He told the press ' I'll live and breathe Elvis 24 hours a day'.

Parker showed his nerve when he demanded $100,000 for Elvis to star in Love Me Tender. When the Producer said even Jack Lemmon didn't get that kind of money. Parker looked into his eyes and said ' Maybe Lemmon needs a new manager!’

Parker was also scared once Elvis hit Hollywood, he would see what Parker was really going. So Parker started to isolate Elvis from the outside world. That's how the Memphis Mafia started. One day songwriter Mike Stroller knocked on Elvis's hotel room door, Elvis greeted him nervously and said the Colonel wouldn’t like me doing one to one meetings.

When Elvis joined the Army, Parker told him ' Son, I consider it my patriotic duty to keep you in the 90% tax bracket'.

Parker's view was ' if you want to see Elvis Presley, you buy a ticket!’ Elvis was not allowed to give private shows, in the army or anywhere else. Also Elvis never did encores, he always left them begging for more.

During the filming of Blue Hawaii, Parker ran shouting and yelling into the middle of a scene, pointing at Elvis's watch and demanded ' if you want the watch in, you'll have to pay another 10 grand!’ No wonder Elvis began to hate making films. In public, Hal Wallis admired Parker, as a super salesman - Yet in private, he said ' I'd rather try and close a deal with the devil'. Parker really couldn’t care less about Presley's acting talent. He wanted a simple film, with cute girls and an album worth of songs. Also Parker wanted a lot of money for these films, after all he was making a fortune.

When a TV executive came to Parker offering $50,000 for a single prime time appearance by Elvis, Parker responded ' That'll be be just fine for me, but how much will you give Elvis?'

The extent of Parker's role in Elvis's wedding is disputed, some say he told Elvis to get married for publicity purposes, but it was a rushed affair with a brief guests list, which caused a huge ructions among Elvis's entourage. Parker also refused to let the happy couple have the honeymoon in Europe they wanted, he said it would upset the fans around the world. Why Elvis didn't insist on the wedding he and Priscilla really wanted is enduring mystery.

Parker was a competent hypnotist. He liked to get staff members to act like chickens and once had the Memphis Mafia barking like dogs. However, theories that Parker kept Elvis hypnotized for 20 years should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Elvis stood up to the Colonel on a handful of occasions. One was the 1968 TV Special, which Parker wanted a dull Christmassy show, thank god Elvis did it his way. It give him one of his finest, rawest performances. Then the second time happened when Parker didn’t want Elvis to record a particular song due to recording right. That song was ' Suspicious Minds'.

In 1969, Elvis went back on the road and played the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Alex Shoofy, the hotel's general manager, came to see Parker in the hotel dining room and offered a 5 year contract in which Elvis would play the hotel in February and August each year and earn $125,000 a week. Parker scribbled some terms on a red tablecloth, but he ignored inflation and tied Elvis long term. Alex Shoofy signed his agreement on the tablecloth and promptly told the press it ' was the best deal ever made in this town'. Not, perhaps, for Elvis.

Parker had a long term gambling habit and it got a lot worse in Vegas. He moved into the hotel in a fancy suite and lost million a year on the tables!

In the 70's, Elvis's income came from touring. In February 1972, he signed away one third of his tour profit to Parker.

In 1973, after a heated row, Elvis fired Parker, but he wouldn’t leave - without his million he was still waiting for. Elvis threw a fit and went on a huge drug fuelled week that culminated in a teenage girl almost overdose. Who does Elvis call to sort out the mess and keep the press away?? Parker.

Parker turned down endless offers for Elvis to tour the world. The reason was Parker was an illegal immigrant without a passport.

In 1973, RCA bought the masters - and royalty rights - of all Elvis's previous recordings for $5.4million. Jack Soden of EPE describes the deal as being right up there with the Indians selling Manhattan for 24 dollars. Seven years later, a lawyer for the Presley Estate Blacnchard Tual, concluded that Colonel Parker and RCA were probably guilty of collusion, conspiracy, fraud and misrepresentation.

In 1974, Parker set up Boxcar Enterprises to handle the merchandising business. Parker was on 40% on the income while Elvis only got 15%!

When Joe Esposito phoned Parker to tell him Elvis had died, Parkers first words were ' Oh dear god! Then after a long pause ' nothing has changed! This won’t change anything!' Within a day of Elvis's death, Parker got Vernon Presley (the executor to Elvis's will) to agree to keep al l the deals made with Elvis as they were. He also signed a deal with the merchandising company, Factors Inc. that meant Parker would take 78% of the proceeds of the forthcoming souvenir boom! At Elvis's funeral, Parker wore a Hawaiian shirt and a baseball cap. At the cemetery he wondered away from the graveside and say by himself on a police motorbike. After Vernon's death in 1979, the courts got involved and after a long battle, a deal was struck whereby Parker was cut from all connections with the Presley Estate for a hefty sum.

Colonel Tom Parker (aka Andreas 'Dries' Cornelis Van Kuijk) died in January 1997.

Getting to, or do you already, know about Elvis Presley?

Elvis.

His name "triggers" a flood of emotions, memories, thoughts, that is...never-ending.

 

Elvis was the GREATEST Entertainer who ever lived...period. Elvis was the GREATEST Singer. Elvis was the most successful Hollywood Movie Star...ever (every one of Elvis' movies made money and no other "actor/actress" can make the same claim).

 

Elvis was the GREATEST Gospel Performer...ever. When Elvis was on TV (i.e. Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, Comeback Special, Aloha from Hawaii, etc.) he was the RATINGS KING! Elvis was the CONCERT SELL OUT KING of all time from 1969 through 1977. NO ONE will ever touch Elvis' Concert attendance records...ever!

Elvis had style, swagger, desire to reach out of his "monetary challenged" existence and use the ONE "tool" that he could count on for success...himself. Elvis wanted to provide for his Mother and man he looked the part, acted the part, played the part, and just flat out BLEW everyone away onstage, and was just as "exciting" offstage.

Elvis was a loving son, husband, father, and a wonderful friend who gave of himself as he truly cared.

Elvis was gifted by God with a face, stance, physical presence, that was COMMANDING and there was NO ONE who looked like him before, then, after, now, as he was similar to a "Greek god statute" with the physical prowess of a Tiger.

If Elvis wanted it...he got it. He absorbed it. He turned it inside out and outside in. He read, he asked questions, he prayed, he kept a dialog with his Mother (after her passing) as well as to his twin brother (who died at birth) and he constantly questioned WHY did God allow him such success?

WOW not many people realize/know how HUMBLE a person Elvis was and it was NOT an act. Yeah, sure he could/would "yes mam" and be very respectful and some people (like you Geraldo Rivera give Elvis his PROPS!) thought it was an "act"...but it was as real as that perfectly defined nose and that jet black hair and those grey-blue-auburn colored eyes that Elvis had.

Elvis was the HIGHEST PAID ENTERTAINER for the majority of his life, excluding when he was mandated to complete the "movie contracts" that went from (approximately) 1961-1968, in a time when the HIGHEST income tax bracket was 90% (which is UNHEARD of today).

Elvis always took care, monetarily, of those within his "inner circle". Elvis would, and did, give away TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars every year to Charities in Memphis. Elvis not only paid his "inner circle" but he took care of their expenses/food/etc. If you were "in" with Elvis...you were in.

Most of the Memphis Mafia, as Elvis' "inner circle" were called, were men. However, there was one SPECIAL lady named Patty Perry who was very much in Elvis' "inner circle".

 

There is no doubt that each of these individuals (truly) cared for Elvis. There is also no doubt that, beginning in late 1971, Elvis had some health issues that needed to be addressed.

 

Many of the "inner circle" tried to provide Elvis with "good advice/options", concerning his health issues, and sometimes the advice was given "face to face" and just before Elvis died it was released in a book entitled "Elvis what happened?”

 

There is NO DOUBT that Elvis' health declined, with a few good months here and there, beginning in late 1971 but really began to deteriorate in 1976 and went FULL FORCE deterioration in 1977. No one can put themselves in his "shoes" as that man (literally) felt like he had the World to carry. He had to make money so he had to perform. He could not eat right, sleep well, go to the bathroom well/often, he had stomach issues, reactions, digestive problems, and (among other things) an enlarged heart.

 

Elvis continued on performing NOT because he necessarily wanted to (note: in fairness Elvis loved to perform but we are talking about 200 shows a year for a man over the age of 40) but he HAD to

I am NOT a "doctor" but based up all of the "insiders" books, articles, interviews, products that I have read for OVER 40 years now (and continue to read vicariously daily) I believe that Elvis was predisposed for Depression and/or "great highs" and/or "great lows".

 

Elvis was allergic to Penicillin and on one occasion he was accidently given Penicillin and had a reaction and almost died. During his time Penicillin was the NUMBER 1 drug to fight infections for most of America...except Elvis and others who had the bad reactions. Elvis had a MAJOR sleeping disorder and had to take medication to even TRY to get some sleep. Elvis' natural body was ALWAYS moving and ready to go. Elvis stayed up until the sun came up and went to bed and slept until late afternoon - sometimes Elvis would sleep for days and stay in his bedroom.

 

 

One FACT stayed with Elvis ever since he was a little boy and that was that he would not outlive his Mother's age. Elvis often talked about that during his lifetime and several times PRIOR to his Mothers passing.

 

Elvis TRULY BELIEVED, in his heart and soul, that it was inevitable. When Elvis' Mother died Elvis believed that she was 42 years old. Factually she was 46 years old and she had kept her true age from Elvis all of his life. Therefore Elvis, going into 1977, knew that the first month of 1977 (January) he would in fact turn 42 (1/8/77). We can only imagine how that REALITY played in Elvis' head and in his attitude and in his decisions.

 

Elvis was a COLLECTOR of fine/unique items: clothes, cars, jewelry, shoes, horses, furniture, buses, motorcycles, 3wheelers, etc. Elvis also owned the FIRST "cell phone" (we have a photo of it and it is encased into a wooden box but it worked). Elvis also owned the FIRST VHS player (we have a photo of it as well that we took in 1977) here in the United States. If it was "cool", cutting edge, etc. then Elvis would get it.

 

Elvis had a PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY. Elvis also had a great ability to put his thoughts down on paper including designing things. Elvis was a "multi-faceted" man who was multi-talented and a giving caring human being.

 

Elvis was the MOST PHOTOGRAPHED person who ever lived. Elvis was also the MOST PRODUCT FRIENDLY Entertainer of his time meaning that you could get an Elvis doll, lunchbox, shirt, hat, coat, shoes, etc. Thus there are MANY MANY Elvis Collectibles (we define as Elvis items made AFTER his death of August 16, 1977) and Elvis Memorabilia (we define as Elvis items made during his lifetime of January 8, 1935 until August 16, 1977).

 

Well, that's the end of this article but, God willing, I will share some more stories/facts with you online and during the interim "take care and may God bless you".

 

Jeff Schrembs

www.ElvisCollector.info

www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org