January 8 2012 is Elvis Presleys' 77th birthday

Sunday, January 8, 2012 will be the 77th birthday of Elvis Aron Presley. It is simultaneously a day worthy of acknowledging and a day of sadness as it reminds us; what we lost when Elvis died on August 16 1977 and that our firsthand witness to greatness/history would be…no more.

On this day I say to the Presley Family, EPE, Marty Lacker, Red West, Sonny West, Sandi Pichon, Billy Smith, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, etc. and to their family members; THANK YOU and may God bless you in all of your endeavors.

I have always believed that what we do in this life has direct consequences when our life is over. That we are not constrained by our physical presence herein this World. That our essence is defined by our very soul which is our true “compass” to what is right, what is wrong, and what is true.

With that in mind I know that where ever Elvis is that he is surrounded by those who loved him, gave birth to him, were related to him, and befriended him. I have always wished that time could be “rewound” so that Elvis truly knew, in this spirit and in his soul, the impact he made on people’s lives and how much they cared for him and appreciated what he did onstage and off.

Some of my favorite stories, photos, audio files, video’s, etc. about Elvis are the most…simplstick. Elvis bending down to speak to a child, Elvis posing with children sickened by Polio, Elvis willingly participating in supporting Cancer research, Elvis reaching down from the stage to hold a beautiful little blind girl while he Mothers arms reach up.

I have always put great faith in the instinctual ability of children to be aware of other people’s intent and this “aura”. Watching Elvis throughout his life gravitate towards children, stop what he was doing to spend time with them, to pose with pictures with them, and the intensity of the interaction between Elvis and children was – is – and forever will remain….priceless. It is a sincerity and a purity of heart that sadly is far too lacking in society today.

Elvis was not a “perfect person” by any means. That is not a slight against him it is just a fact. The only perfect person ever to walk this Earth ended up crucified on a cross after being beaten beyond recognition 21012 years ago. I make this point because there should be a balance and a context when we speak about, or in this case write about, individuals and we should never manuever around the facts but embrace them for in doing so gives us an honest accord as well as a place of “agreement” in which to start honest debates.

Inasmuch as I am a diehard fan of Elvis I would trade it all in to spend just one moment with one of my loved ones who has died. I would trade it all in to be able to hold my children and to tell them I love them. For each child, I believe, is a blessing from God and that the day of their birth IS a special day for they, in whole and in part, are special. To anyone who knew Elvis they would agree that Elvis would have gladly given up his fame, and fortune, if he could have his beloved Mother Gladys with him again. That is one of the reasons why I have been an "Elvis Fan" for these (approximately) six decades now.

More important than the cakes, the wraped presents, or the location is the relationship while we are in each others presence and, equally as important, when we are not. The wisdom of the saying of “the only time mankind can fully comprehend, and therefore manage, is the present”. So, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY # 77 Elvis”!

To Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide this is a bittersweet day but one worthy of celebration. The man was truly “one of a kind” and if the measure of a person is the intensity in which others care about them then Elvis, as he was in life, remains…the greatest.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.elviscollector.info/
 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2012

Merry Christmas 2011 to everyone from Jeffrey Schrembs

Merry Christmas 2011 from http://www.elviscollector.info/ and Jeff Schrembs.

Our Christmas Wish for everyone is; for those who are sick may they be healed, for those who are in need may their needs be fulfilled, for those who mourn by God give you the strength to go on, for those who are happy may this day be long, and for those undergoing trying times please remember that through God all things are possible and may you find peace…through faith.

May God bless you in all of your endeavors now…and always.

Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info

Merry Christmas from www.ElvisCollector.info

Merry Christmas 2011 from http://www.elviscollector.info/ and Jeff Schrembs.

Our Christmas Wish for everyone is; for those who are sick may they be healed, for those who are in need may their needs be fulfilled, for those who mourn by God give you the strength to go on, for those who are happy may this day be long, and for those undergoing trying times please remember that through God all things are possible and may you find peace…through faith.

May God bless you in all of your endeavors now…and always.

Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info

Merry Christmas to the Memphis Mafia and their family/loved ones

Merry Christmas 2011 to Memphis Mafia & family (Jeff Schrembs All Rights Reserved)

Dec22 by Jeff Schrembs

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  To each member of the “Memphis Mafia”, and to their family/loved ones, I just wanted to say “Merry Christmas 2011″.

Wishing you, and your family/loved ones, a; healthy, happy, blessed, joyful, peaceful, memorable, and wonderful Christmas 2011.

May God bless you in all of your endeavors.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.elviscollector.info/

Unique facts about Elvis Presley by Jeff Schrembs

Elvis.

His name “triggers” a flood of emotions, memories, thoughts, that is…neverending.

Elvis was the GREATEST Entertainer who ever lived…period. Elvis was the GREATEST Singer. Elvis was the most successful Hollywood Movie Star…ever (everyone 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, Aloah 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, physcial 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 physcial prowness 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 Riveria 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 Charties in Memphis. Elvis not only paid his “inner circle” but he took care of thier 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. Personally my system “shuts down” if I go into a Hotel in our own town (i.e. the bed is different, the bathroom is odd, the shower works differently, the noise is wierd, you have LIMITED food options because Elvis would get TRAMPLED if he tried to eat out) so I can only NIGHTMARE IMAGINE the toll it took on Elvis - mentally, physcially, emotionally, etc.

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 “bi-polar” therefore predisposed for Depression and/or “great highs” and/or “great lows”. Elvis was allergic to Penecillin and on one occassion he was accidently given Penecillin and had a reaction and almost died.

During his time Penecillin 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. In these SPECIFIC issues I can FULLY UNDERSTAND the effects that these have on Elvis (i.e. sleep disorder, bi-polar, penecillin reaction, etc.) because I have had the EXACT SAME medical diagnosis, some since birth, and some since childhood and I would NEVER welcome it on…anyone.

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 unevitable. 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, jewerly, 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).

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.elviscollector.info/

Patti Parry died Thursday October 27, 2011 (by Jeff Schrembs)

One of Elvis Presleys' favorite people, justifiably so, Patti Parry died on Thursday October 27, 2011 after being taken to the Hospital the night before.
Patti Parry was a wonderful asset to the "Elvis Presley Community" and she will be misssed on every conceivable way.

Please pray for the famiy members, loved ones, friends, etc. of Patti Parry.
Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
www.ElvisCollector.info

Collecting Elvis Presley Memorabilia (by Jeffrey Schrembs 2011 All Rights Reserved)

Congratulations on your desire/intent to start, continue, etc. collecting Elvis Presley Memorabilia!

We are pleased to have the opportunity to help you, via our online articles, and responding to any specific questions. We have been collecting "all things Elvis" since 1970 and have in excess of 135,000 individual Elvis Presley items. However, the "beauty" of collecting Elvis Presley items is that (a) it is never boring (b) new things are always forthcoming (c) there are so many categories - sub categories to chose from and (d) there are many "resources" to turn to for questions/fun/advice/etc.

Whatever your "passion" is, for Elvis, odds are that you can find it Online, or use a Seach Engine, and even on EBay We have always taken the position that "quality trumphs quantity". Now, that may sound "hypocritical" coming from a collection in excess of 135,000 but hey...we have been doing this NOT as a "revenue stream"...but from the heart.

Here are some specific categories pertaining to Elvis Presley Memorabilia:

Photos - Do yourself a favor and check out anything/everything by Ed Bonja. Also, check out KingCandids. Both of these sources hand personal, first hand, and ongoing relationships with Elvis during his lifetime. Elvis was the most photographed person...ever so there are so many options in this category but (again) when you have the combination of QUALITY, as you do with Ed Bonja and KingCandids, you are "ahead of the game" (so to speak).

Memorabilia - Paul Litcher is a WONDERFUL source at ElvisUnique. Paul is an ELVIS AUTHORITY and has been for many many years now. We are eternally thankful to Paul Litcher as we have used his books, starting in the 70's, as a "bible" for cross referencing/authenticating Elvis Presley Memorabilia.

Autographs - PLEASE ensure that only after you have "crossed all of your T's and dotted all of your I's", concerning Elvis Presley, before you ever start to TRY to collect/invest in this "category". There are a few, in our opinion, "legit" sources for "authentication" (including but not limited to the aforementioned Paul Litcher) concering Elvis' autographs (excluding any photographs that were issued/imprinted with salutations such as "Sincerely, Elvis Presley - which was very common with RCA, Boxcar, Colonel Parker, etc.).

Records - Our priority would be 78's followed by 33's LP (stands for Long Play) followed by 33's followed by 45's followed by CD's followed by cassettes followed by 8-tracks. Our "time frame" priorities would be 1954-1959, then 1969, then 1970-1973, then 1967-1968, then 1960-1962, then 1963-1966, then 1977, then 1976, then 1974, then 1975. But, again, you should "follow your heart" OR in this case "ear" for what YOU like.

Books/DVD's/CD's - It may not be "cool", according to some but there is nothing "wrong" - and everything "right" about going against the grain, but your local Library is a GREAT place to start. Several of our Libraries offer, in addition to books of course, the ability to check out (for weeks at a time) DVD's and CD's about Elvis Presley. When you find the items that you "can't live without", and we CAUTION you here because it may be that everything you hear/read about Elvis you "can't live without", then (a) confirm that you have the monetary means - without harming your financial resources - FIRST and FOREMOST and if so then (b) go to an Online Vendor such as EBay - do a product search - and then buy it! If you find an item you really want, but it is just a bit out of your budget, then see IF the Seller allows you to "make an offer". If so, then make sure that you review the shipping/handling charges, and disclosures, in addition to the price itself.

Misc - Anything by Joe Esposito is a MUST! Joe was Elvis' best friend, co-worker, and just a wonderful asset who we are THANKFUL was in Elvis' life and continues to share his experiences with Elvis fans. Priscilla Presley wrote an honest, heart-felt, and memorable book entitled "Elvis and Me". June Juanica, who was Elvis love starting in 1955, also is a big THUMBS UP (both the book and the DVD). Anything written/authored/available for sale by Marty Lacker should be at the TOP of any list for Elvis Presley. Marty Lacker is an honest, wonderful, and sincere man as well as being an irrecplaceable asset to the Elvis Community.

There are various books, etc. by the (renowned) "Memphis Mafia" but, in our opinion, the books written by Marty Lacker, Joe Esposito, Billy Smith, Lamar Fike, and Jerry Schilling are wonderful and should be sought out, purchased, read, and treasured. Each of these men were friends of Elvis' and worked with Elvis for many years. Sonny West also is a great source as well. Lastly, Charlie Hodge and Lamar Fike(both who sadly passed away) left us with several "insightful" items as well.

The "hard truth" about collecting Elvis Presley items is that very few of us will ever have the "monetary means" to actually OWN things like Elvis jumpsuits, original jewerly, automobiles, personal effects, etc. But collecting Elvis memorabilia (again) should be "from the heart" and if it makes you happy, and it's legal, then great. There are so many Elvis items available that one could NEVER own everything (contrary to what other's have stated) and it would be (virtually) impossible.
Elvis left us (3) three decades of works (i.e. music, movies, etc.) so you have alot of things to choose from.

Lastly, THANK YOU for being an Elvis Presley Fan and good luck starting, or enhancing, your Elvis Presley Memorabilia Collection. God bless and take care.

Jeffrey Schrembs
http://www.elviscollector.info/
ElvisCollectorWorldwide