I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. Occasionally, Travis would give fans a ride and even let them inside the gates of Graceland. Was he really as lazy as often portrayed - and can you comment on your quote (in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) that "Vernon always wanted more of everything, except responsibility"! The King then kept his uncle on his payroll up until his death and then kept Travis wife on the payroll too for the rest of her life. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Rickeap. Been thanked: 730 times. So when he fell and got concussion, I stayed with him day and night. However, the best sources for information about Elvis Presley are the people who knew him while he was alive. Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. [13] Guralnick adds "The Colonel joked that they looked like a bunch of old men, but the Memphis Mafia had become almost as well known around town as Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack" and that Elvis and his guys were all "living on speed and tranqs". We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. Their requests to speak directly to Elvis about their employment termination and the nominal severance pay were not granted. It would be the most historic and brilliant well-kept secrets any celebrity has ever pulled. Elvis Presleys Cousin Remembers Shocking Sight From the King in the Recording Studio, more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public, they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker, Billy Smith opened up about what it was like. Elvis and Parker discussed offering the Wests a monetary settlement in return for a written agreement the book would not be published, and their experiences with Elvis, on stage and off would remain confidential. They roared with laughter. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? Corral. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. A close friend of Presley's, Jo Smith, talks about the King's past relationships. Did you know of this when you were young and were there any family stories of Morning Dove White your gt-gt-gt-gt Grandmother? Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. What do you remember of that time and how different was it from life in Tupelo? "[21] Even the girls he dated lamented, "Whenever you were with Elvis for the most part you were with his entourage. However, the distance didnt change what he was seeing. 'It was a very strange telephone conversation. Greeks.. . 'I could. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'. EIN: After Elvis got back from the army and you married your wife Jo, how did you balance your months in Hollywood with your relationship back home? She also travels with Elvis impersonator Elvis Wade and introduces him when he performs. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/elvis-presley-on-set-you-wont-ask-elvis-anything-too-deep-69906/. She was always close to her family, but Elvis was her heart. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? Alanna Nash, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker. I guess they dont like us, I dont know, youd have to ask them. And you who don't can never tell. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. Priscilla sketched out the design on note paper; positioning the letters and lightning bolt in various ways before they found what they liked. So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. Elvis is testing the three songs that he recorded a few days earlier. She said Elvis told her he was not surprised and the marriage had his blessing. ", "Absolute id crashed into absolute superegoas the uptightset man in America shook hands with just about the loosest. Professional handlers and celebrity security experts had not yet evolved. Eight years younger, Billy Smith is the star's cousin on his mother's side. It comprises live recordings from shows given by Presley in Las Vegas through every decade of his career. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. EIN: I believe that you brought Jerry Schilling into the group. After some administrative organization, when Carter called Graceland, he asked for Billy Smith as a code that it would be the president calling for Elvis and the two subsequently had a discussion. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. "[1] The group began with Elvis' first cousins Junior and Gene Smith, who accompanied Elvis everywhere, along with Elvis' high school friend Red West, and rockabilly singer Cliff Gleaves. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. We talked about religion so much. And was late for work many times. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. For Vernon the book was proof of his long-held distrust and dislike not just of those three but of the whole of the Memphis Mafia "[11] Even George Klein, who chastised and shunned other members of the group for writing books about Elvis, ended up writing a book as well. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. The. It was 1958 and Elvis was on leave from the US Army. However, if any of them made a run for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his son. Refresh and try again. . "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." The Beatles came to Elvis' house at 525 Perugia Way in Bel Air, and we all sat around and talked, and they were extremely nice. What Elvis serious about changing things? He was there with the rest of the Memphis Mafia when Presley was at his peak. After being in Elvis' employment for two decades, both Red and Sonny were only paid a few weeks' severance pay. When Elvis bought Graceland Billys family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. She said, My Daddys dead, my Daddys dead., I cant even tell you what I felt, I was stunned and paralyzed. Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. Powerball ticket forgotten in coat pocket turns out to be $1 million winner. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. [GRACELAND UPSTAIRS]Elvis: How Lisa Marie's name was chosen and what a boy would be called[LISA MARIE], Jo shared: He actually was there [as a Graceland guard] until he became ill and couldnt work anymore and Elvis retired himhed had a stroke.. "[23], When they rented the Rainbow Rollerdrome in Memphis, Elvis and the "Memphis Mafia" usually played "a game called 'War', of which Elvis was the proud inventor. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino, Della Reese, Jackie Wilson, the Four Aces, the Dominoes all the old acts. However, he was just a boy at the time. Before I write one more word, I want it clearly understood that after the interview in the British Some use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "". When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. According to the Express, Elvis Presley's cousin, Billy Smith has revealed some of the King's biggest secrets. For example, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch a film. Smith claims that Elvis was always hardest on himself when it came to how he looked, adding that if Elvis thought it would make him better, he did it. Billy Smith also claims that Elvis underwent two face life procedures, the first one being in 1957, and the second in 1975 just two years before his untimely death on August 16, 1977. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. He relates that they were a "friendly bunch" who, when Elvis began to sing just for fun during his interview, followed "suit, singing, clowning, all on their feet". He liked real dramatic things", (Marty Lacker in 'Elvis and the Memphis Mafia'), "If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead". Nichopoulos. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. When Smith became old enough he worked for Elvis as well as a member of the Memphis Mafia, eventually living at Graceland separately from his family. Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Writing Lines Exploring The Tedious Yet Creative Punishment, Why It Is So Unusual To Find An Original Bob Ross Painting. Can you tell us if this is true? Enjoy a few stories about Elvis from Billy and Jo Smith. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? (EIN Note The full story about Elvis testing everyones honesty is in the M.M. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. He said that he stood there gawking at Elvis Presley while he played and sang in Studio B. "For the first time in his life, he had a group of male friends to pal around with, and he relished being the leader of the pack. There is often talk of Elvis practising with Johnny Burnette and his brother around this time. A couple of them had been arrested with false prescriptions attempting to collect drugs for Elvis, quite a few had taken physical hits in the service of protecting Elvis and none were paid more than $500 a week. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. According to Alan Fortas, an all-Memphis football halfback who became a bodyguard and part of the Presley entourage, "Elvis needed someone to baby more than he needed a sex partner. Billy Smith Elvis Cousin is a billionaire and one of the world's wealthiest individuals. This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. But stranger things have happened. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. [citation needed], An agreement was not reached, and when Elvis received a copy of the book entitled Elvis: What Happened? Even though the famous couple broke up 8 months before Elvis Presley passed, Thompson stayed close to his nine-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie. Elvis first cousins Thompson stayed close to Elvis even as a young child stayed to. Order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive Elvis 's mother, making and! 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