Elvis. Elvis. And more Elvis cool & rare photos. December 8, 2016 edition

Elvis circa 1970 at Houston Astrodome

Elvis circa 1972

Elvis circa 1956

Elvis circa 1956

Elvis circa 1956

Elvis while in the US Army (1958-1960) circa 1959

Elvis' beloved mother Gladys and father Vernon on front porch at Graceland circa 1957

RARE blueprints of Graceland

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Rare Colonel Parker interview transcript

August 31, 1981 People Magazine Article

1968 photograph of crowd clapping as Elvis, not in this shot, was singing an "Elvis altered" version of Happy Birthday during a break in rehearsals of what would be the 1968 Singer TV Special entitled "Elvis".

Col. Parker Made Elvis Golden; Now a Memphis Court Wonders If He Fleeced Him Too

Everyone called the relationship as close as that of father and son. Indeed, the legend grew from the start that Col. Tom Parker, a colorful ex-carny, had as much a paternal as a financial interest in the truck-driving lode of inchoate talent named Elvis Aaron Presley. Parker masterminded him into the King, the biggest solo act in show business, and if sometimes the Colonel seemed to be slicker than a hound dog's tooth, well, he'd made Elvis a millionaire, hadn't he?

True, but if the King is now resting in peace, those who survive him surely aren't. Almost four years to the day since Presley died, his fortunes are now being debated in a bitter probate court fight that pits Parker against Presley's sole heir, his daughter, Lisa Marie, 13. The allegations filed by Lisa's court-appointed guardian include charges that Parker, 72, enriched himself by mismanaging Presley's career and cutting the singer out of millions of dollars by negotiating unfavorable agreements.

After a court hearing in Memphis—ironically held the weekend thousands of mourners gathered there to commemorate the Aug. 16 anniversary of Presley's death—Judge Joseph W. Evans wrote in a heated opinion that "the compensation received by Colonel Parker is excessive and shocks the conscience of the court." Evans then ordered the Presley estate to cease all dealings with Parker, institute litigation against him to recover a yet to be determined sum, and continue investigating an array of seemingly disadvantageous contracts negotiated by Parker, chief among them Presley's pact with RCA Records.

However the case is eventually settled, the episode has renewed disturbing questions about Parker's past and his involvement with Presley—both the man and his estate. Although the Colonel (the honorary title was bestowed by a Tennessee Governor) maintains he is the son of a West Virginia "carnival family," the court records reveal he was in fact born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk in Breda, Holland and came to America in 1929, at age 20. His foreign birth supports speculation that the reason Presley never accepted multimillion-dollar overseas gigs was Parker's inability to secure a U.S. passport. He spent his youth working for the Great Parker Pony Circus before segueing into C & W management. Parker had already handled Eddie Arnold and Hank Snow when, in the mid-'50s, he first heard a young singer from Tupelo, Miss, belting out rockabilly tunes around the South. By November 1955, Parker, then 46, signed the 20-year-old Presley to an exclusive management contract.

Parker's entrepreneurial wizardry during the early years is not in dispute. He clearly orchestrated Presley's transformation from an ungroomed rock pioneer into a slick Vegas showroom entertainer who made 33 mostly B movies over the years. For his part, Presley, at least in public, gave Parker full credit for every step of his success.

Recently, however, Presley revisionists have begun to downgrade Elvis' real closeness to the Colonel. Larry Geller, a longtime member of Elvis' Memphis Mafia, observes: "Elvis respected the Colonel for his ability to manipulate lawyers, companies and situations, but he felt very uncomfortable around him." And rock historian Albert Goldman, who will this fall publish an exhaustive 600-page biography titled Elvis, says, "In the 21 years they knew each other, Elvis and the Colonel never had dinner together once." Friends also recall that Parker came to Elvis' funeral dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and baseball cap and studiously avoided looking at the casket.

The quality of the personal relationship the two men shared may never be fully understood, but now the Colonel's business dealings have come under scrutiny as well. In May 1980, Memphis entertainment lawyer Blanchard E. Tual, 36, was appointed by the probate court to represent Lisa Marie after the executors of Elvis' will sought clarification of their dealings with Parker. Once Tual began his probe, the Colonel's role became increasingly suspect. For instance, during the first 11 years he managed Presley, Parker took a high but not unprecedented 25 percent of the singer's earnings. Tual points out that the Colonel neglected to register Elvis with a musical licensing firm, thereby forfeiting his client's share of songwriters' royalties. Yet in agreements signed on Jan. 2, 1967, Parker doubled his cut from Presley's earnings. Elvis signed away a flat half of his grosses, a cut Tual says was "exorbitant, excessive, and unreasonable...and raises the question of whether Parker has been guilty of self-dealing."

Soon thereafter Parker contracted Presley to play Vegas' International Hotel for what Tual calls "a surprisingly low figure...$100,000 to $130,000 a week: a price that was soon surpassed by acts of far less commercial value." Tual quotes Alex Shoofey, who was manager of the hotel at that time, as boasting that the arrangement was "the best deal ever made in this town." Parker, according to Shoofey, had developed a liking for casino action and "was one of the best customers we had. He was good for a million dollars a year." Observes Tual acidly: "The impropriety of a manager losing such sums in the same hotel with which he has to negotiate on behalf of his client goes without saying.... [He] sold Elvis short."

Even more damning, in Tual's judgment, is a baroque series of contractual maneuvers all dated March 1, 1973. By then Elvis' health had begun to fail, and he was in the throes of his divorce from Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. One contract sold to RCA all the King's master tapes for $5 million, split 50-50 between Parker and Elvis. "Elvis was only 37 years old," says Tual, "and it was illogical for him to consider selling an almost certain lifetime annuity from his catalogue of over 700 chart songs. The tax implications alone should have prohibited such an agreement..." In fact, of his $2.5 million from RCA, Presley kept only $1.25 million after taxes.

There was also a new seven-year contract with RCA that Tual criticizes on two counts: "Elvis' royalty rate was only one-half of what other major artists of the day, such as the Rolling Stones, Elton John or the Beatles, were receiving. Another glaring deficiency...was that it contained no audit clause." He adds: "RCA has denied the estate's request to audit the period from March 1, 1973 to Jan. 31, 1978 due to nonobjection of accountings by Colonel Parker." Tual contends that if an audit is ever conducted for that period, Presley's estate will reap a windfall in unpaid royalties.

Finally, there were three separate letter agreements on the same March 1 date in which RCA committed itself to pay Parker, for his merchandising and promotional expertise, a total of $1.75 million, plus 10 percent of the net profits from any Presley tours, over seven years. Presley okayed each of the letters, but received not a penny. "Even though Elvis acknowledged the letter agreements," observes Tual, "they constitute a clear conflict of interest and a breach of Colonel Parker's fiduciary trust...Colonel Parker could not possibly deal with RCA at arm's length on Elvis' behalf when he was receiving that much money from RCA."

Tual concludes that both RCA and Parker acted in collusion against Presley's best interests. "These actions against the most popular American folk hero of this century," he says, "are outrageous and call out for a full accounting from those responsible."

RCA denies any wrongdoing, and Parker told PEOPLE, "Elvis knew that I provided services for others. He was satisfied with our arrangement, and it worked." Parker also issued a broadside condemning "the unjust allegations that not only attack my name and reputation, but also are unfair and insulting to the memory of Elvis and his father, Vernon [who died in 1979]. I highly respected Elvis Presley, and I have made every effort to honor his name and preserve his memory with dignity." Not unexpectedly, the Colonel hints darkly at pursuing "legal actions" against his foes.

Retorts Tual, who has been asked by the court to continue his investigations: "Elvis Presley has been dead for four years now. I am not crusading for anybody. I'm looking out for the interests of his little girl—I think she's entitled to the benefits of her father's efforts and artistic talents." (Lisa lives in Beverly Hills with Priscilla, 36.) The lawyer is doubly concerned because the IRS recently hit the Presley estate with a back tax assessment that, if upheld, would take away $14.6 million of the estimated $25 million estate.

In Memphis, the now familiar hucksters of Presleyana are still hawking their shabby wares outside Graceland. Fans like Jody Compton still keep their evening vigils at the gates. "Nighttime," she says, "is the most beautiful time to be there for the lights, the magic—for being able to visualize Elvis doing the things he did at night. He's not really gone, you know."

Not as long as LPs and tapes continue to be sold. But the never-ending revelations of the frightful price Presley paid for his fame give sad lie to the last of his more than 90 gold singles. Released in 1977, just months before his death, it was titled My Way. The truth was, even to his own detriment, he did it the Colonel's way.

Elvis Presley - Bridge over troubled water 1974 live rendition

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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)

 

The lineage of Elvis Presley

Elvis's great-great-great-grandmother, Morning White Dove (1800-1835), was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. She married William Mansell, a settler in western Tennessee, in 1818. William's father, Richard Mansell, had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mansell is a French name--its literal translation is the man from Le Mans.

The Mansell's migrated from Norman France to Scotland, and then later to Ireland. In the 18th century the family came to the American Colonies. The appellation "white" in Morning Dove's name refers to her status as a friendly Indian. Early American settlers called peaceable Indians "white," while "red" was the designation for warring Indians or those who sided with the British in the Revolutionary War. It was common for male settlers in the West to marry "white" Indians as there was a scarcity of females on the American frontier.

Like many young men in the American Southwest, William Mansell fought with Andrew Jackson in the Indian Wars of the early nineteenth century. He fought with Old Hickory in Alabama, at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and later in Florida too. Returning to Tennessee from the Indian Wars, William Mansell married Morning White Dove. Elaine Dundy says of the marriage, he (William Mansell) gained "age-old Indian knowledge of the American terrain; of forests and parries; of crops and game; of protection against the climate; of medicine lore, healing plants as well as something in which the Indians were expert--the setting of broken bones." Moreover, added to Elvis's lineage were Morning White Dove's ruddy Indian complexion and fine line of cheek.

Like many other settlers, the newlyweds migrated to Alabama from Tennessee to claim lands garnered in the Indian Wars. The Mansell's settled in Marion County in northeast Alabama near the Mississippi border. The Scots-Irish, like William Mansell, were the predominant settlers of Alabama. One-tenth of the population in colonial America was Scots-Irish at the time of the American Revolution.

And a very interesting group they were. The Anglican Reverend Woodmason had this to say about the Scots-Irish women of William Mansell's day. "They wore nothing but thin shifts and a thin petticoat underneath. They are sensual and promiscuous. They draw their shift as tight as possible to the body, and pin it close, to show the roundness of their breasts, and slender waists (for they are generally fined shaped) and draw their petticoat close to their hips to show the fineness of their limbs--so that they might as well be in puri naturalibus."

The Scots-Irish in America were a passionate community living close to the earth. They disdained the niceties of their British neighbors. Of this Reverend Woodmason had to say," they delight in their present low, lazy, sluttish, heathenish, hellish life, and seem not desirous of changing it. These people despise knowledge, and instead of honoring a learned person...they despise and ill-treat them..."

There were other views on the passionate lifestyle of the Scots-Irish, however. James Hall of Philadelphia described a young, Scots-Irish frontiersman in this way. "He strode among us with the step of Achilles...I thought I could see in that man, one of the progenitors of an unconquerable race; his face presented the traces of a spirit quick to resent--he had the will to dare, and the power to execute, there was something in his look which bespoke a disdain of control, and an absence of constraint in all his movements indicating an habitual independence of thought and action."

Think of Elvis in these words: the will to dare and the power to execute, a disdain of control in all his movements indicating a habitual independence of thought and action. This is the Scots-Irish heritage from which Elvis Presley issued. In his genes he carried an independence of blood, the will to dare and the power to execute. Many influences formed Elvis Presley besides the genealogical, yet this description has a haunting accuracy. Morning White Dove and William Mansell prospered in Alabama.

Their land was fertile and they built a substantial house near the town of Hamilton. They had three offspring, the eldest of who was John Mansell, born in 1828, and Elvis's great-great grandfather. Elaine Dundy has this to say of John Mansell. He was "half Scots-Irish, half Indian, (but) seems to have grown up wholly "wild Injun." Although by the time he was twenty-two he had married Elizabeth "Betsy" Gilmore and they would have some nine or ten children together, "settling down" can hardly be the phrase for what he was devoting his life to. John was one of those sexually overactive men who seem intent on populating the universe with children. Both his legitimate and illegitimate descendants still abound in northwest Alabama and in
northeast Mississippi."

John Mansell squandered the legacy of the family farm. In 1880 he abdicated to Oxford, Mississippi, changing his name to Colonel Lee Mansell. His sons left Hamilton to seek their fortunes in the town of Saltillo, Mississippi, near Tupelo, the birth place of Elvis Presley. The third of John Mansell's sons, White Mansell, became the patriarch of the family with John Mansell's removal to Oxford. White Mansell was Elvis's great-grandfather. White Mansell married Martha Tackett, a neighbor in Saltillo.

Of note is the religion, Jewish, of Martha's mother, Nancy Tackett. It was unusual to find a Jewish settler in Mississippi during this time. All accounts point to White Mansell as a hard-working, upright, provider for a clan increasingly besieged by economic factors beyond their control. The Civil War fractured the Southern economy and soul. Cotton, the backbone of the South, was subject to financial depressions such as the Panic of 1890. Additionally, the deep South suffered numerous outbreaks of yellow fever during the mid-nineteenth century. Add to this the extraordinary number of fatalities suffered in not only the Civil War but also the Mexican War, and the devastation of Southern culture in the nineteenth century was complete. Like many other Southern families, the Mansells were stretched to the breaking point. They sold their lands and became sharecroppers. The prosperity of the South, along with the fortunes of the family, had plummet.

However the life of a sharecropper was not unremittingly grim. They had music and dancing and the comfort of religion. Tenant farmers, sharecroppers, were often invited to the owner's house on Saturday nights for square dancing and parties. Sundays there were picnics on the ground after church. Although there was little hope of escaping poverty, it was a life of community with some gayety. Enter now Doll Mansell, Gladys Presley's mother and Elvis's grandmother, of whom Elaine Dundy had this to say. "And the gayest of all the girls at these gatherings, the acknowledged beauty, was the slim, exquisite, tubercular, porcelainfeatured, spoiled third daughter of White Mansell...Doll." She was a delicate beauty and the apple of her father's eye. She did not marry until twenty-seven, and then to her first cousin, Robert Smith.

Bob Smith was the son of White Mansell's sister, Ann. Ann Mansell was a striking woman of dignity and stature, a commanding presence until her death at eighty-six. Bob Smith and Doll Mansell, Elvis Presley's maternal grandparents, were first cousins. This was a genetic intensification, a doubling, of the family lineage. The marrying of first cousins, with its intensities and possibility for dysfunction, was common in insulated communities of the agrarian South. Like Doll, Bob Smith was very handsome, his Indian blood evidenced in a noble brow, good bone structure, even features and dark, deep-set eyes. His black hair was dark as coal.

Doll would be bedridden from tuberculosis throughout the marriage. Like his uncle and father-in-law, White Mansell, Bob Smith labored long and hard as a sharecropper, and occasional moonshiner, to support his invalid wife and eight children. The noose of poverty tightened on the family, and on Elvis's mother, Gladys.

Elaine Dundy: "Genetically speaking, what produced Elvis is quite a mixture. At the beginning, to French Norman blood was added Scots-Irish blood. And when you then add to these the Indian strain supplying the mystery and the Jewish strain supplying spectacular showmanship, and you overlay all this with his circumstances, social conditioning, and religious upbringing--specifically his Southern poor white, First Assembly of God upbringing--you have the enigma that was Elvis."

Less is known of Elvis's paternal heritage through his father, Vernon. The first Pressley in America was an Anglo-Irishman, David Pressley, who settled with his son, Andrew Pressley, Senior, at New Bern, North Carolina in 1740. Not until the third generation is there significant historical record of the Pressleys, beginning with Andrew Pressley, Junior.

Andrew fought in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War in the South, the Battle of Eutah Springs, South Carolina, 1781. The history of the Presleys picks up again with Dunnan Pressley, Junior, in the middle of the 19th century. Dunnan married Martha Jane Wesson at Fulton,
Mississippi, the seat of Itawamba County, in 1861. Like many others, Dunnan was probably drawn to the region by cheap land offered to veterans of the Mexican War. In those days richly timbered acreage went for twenty-five cents an acre. Dunnan and Jane had two daughters, Rosalinda and Rosella, Elvis's great-grandmother.

The Civil War broke out and Dunnan joined the Confederate Army--twice! On each enlistment he collected a three hundred dollar bounty for his horse, and each time he quickly deserted his regimen. Having twice deserted honor and duty with the Confederacy, Dunnan next abandoned his wife and two daughters. Mrs. Robie Stacy, his granddaughter, had this to about it. "My mother told me that when she and her sister were just little babies, their grandparents had taken them to church one Sunday and when they came back, their father, Dunnan, was gone. He went back to his other wife and child." Apparently bigamy can be added to Dunnan's character defects.

Dunnan Presley's daughter, Rosella, internalized the abandonment and re-enacted it throughout her life. Beginning at age nineteen and continuing over 28 years, Rosella bore nine illegitimate children, never once identifying her lovers or making any claim on them. The children never knew of their fathers as Rosella stubbornly, and resourcefully, supported them through sharecropping. Mrs. Doshia Steele, one of Rosella's daughters, said this of her plight. "I can't remember anyone ever talking about who our father was...It was a big mystery when we were children. My mother just didn't talk about it."

Elvis's paternal line continued through Rosella's son, Jessie Dee Presley (1896-1973), Elvis's grandfather. As would be expected, J.D. Presley re-enacted his father abandonment by making weak bonds with his own children. His brother, Calhoun Presley, had this to say about J.D. "For most of his life Jessie drifted from one job to another all over Mississippi, Kentucky, and Missouri. He was a sharecropper in the summer and a lumberjack in the winter.

Jessie worked hard and played hard. He was an honest man, but he enjoyed drinking whiskey and was often involved in drunken bar brawls. As a result, Jessie spent many a night sobering up in jail. He was a slim, handsome man about six feet tall with black hair. I reckon Elvis inherited his looks from Jessie. He was also a dapper dresser. Clothes were one the most important things in his life. We used to call him "the lawyer" because he dressed so smart. He loved fine clothes. His favorite suit was a tailor-made brown one with pearl buttons.

He saved up for months until he had enough money to buy it--twenty-four dollars. He paraded around town like a peacock, with his head in the air and a cane in his hand. Owning expensive clothes was his only ambition in life. He hated poverty and he didn't want people to know he was poor. He felt that if he wore a tailor-made suit, people would look up to him." In 1913 J.D. married Minnie Mae Hood, "Grandma Dodger," who was to live with Elvis throughout his adult life. In 1916 their first child was born, Vernon Presley, Elvis Presley's father.

It was toward Vernon that much of Jessie's abandoning was directed. Vernon was scared of J.D., any transgression of his father's rules could provoke a beating. This, combined with Jessie's drunken and philandering ways, caused permanent harm to their relationship. In many respects it was as if Vernon had no father as Jessie repeated his own father abandonment on his children. This theme of father abandonment reverberates throughout Elvis's paternal lineage. It is a strong clue to the abandonment that Elvis felt, and perpetrated, in his own life.

News about Elvis Presley November 19 2013

Here is the direct link: http://nypost.com/2013/11/19/authentic-brands-clinches-deal-for-elvis-rights/

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

 

Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide; THANK YOU!

                                    *** Self photograph of Jeff Schrembs circa July 2013 ***

 

I wanted to say a great big THANK YOU to Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide for making www.ElvisCollector.info the number 1 (outside of Elvis.com who we encourage you to visit and support) Elvis Presley Fan Website. No pop-ups. No ads. Just Elvis.

Also I wanted to invite you to become a member, free of course, of our Elvis Presley Fan Forum at www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org. Yes the name is long so thankfully it can be easily bookmarked and/or made a favorite.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs