EIN: There are tales of Joe Esposito being paid by both Elvis and Colonel Parker and that The Col used him to spy on Elvis. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. During a recent question and answer session, Smith and his wife Jo opened up about their estranged relationship with the Presley family. [10] According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. He wanted to know why I didn't come to Graceland (Elvis's Memphis home) anymore. Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. Smith is frequently cited as one of Elvis' longest and most devoted friends and family members. However, in reality, even if Elvis Presley did allegedly fake his own death in 1977, today, he would be a very old man, so the odds are that even so, he most likely would not be alive today. Top. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. 'He was so wonderful. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? He had gotten a quick acetate cut, which . "[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. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. He would wear a shirt with an E and a P emblazoned on each side of his chest as a uniform, accompanied by a cap and dark blue trousers. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. Being the King of Rock and Roll and also a movie star, its no secret that Elvis Presley wanted to keep himself looking his best. Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. 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. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! Once married he & his wife Jo lived behind the main Graceland house except for a few years when Billy worked on the railroad. The most publicized fallout came when Vernon Presley fired Elvis' longtime friends Red West and Sonny West on July 13, 1976. Priscilla Presley said these employees were paid an average of $250 per week during the 1960s, which rose to $425 per week in the 1970s, however one pay stub does exist that showed a weekly pay of only $35 for the '63-65 era. 'I could. Marty Lacker was a brutally honest "sounding board" advisor, Jerry Schilling gave advice about what other groups were using for audio equipment etc., and Billy Smith was a "Jack of All Trades". But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. I don't know where it came from or if Elvis just made it up. [citation needed], Elvis' expenses were increasing at an alarming rate, and there were complaints and threats of lawsuits about the manner in which the Wests interacted with fans. Billy: Larry Geller was okay. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at the link to listen to unlimited music on Amazon Music! 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". The Beatles were excited about meeting him, but when they first got there they were a little quiet and were just kind of feeling him out. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. [8] Elvis' wife Priscilla helped with the creation of this logo on a flight through stormy conditions. Dedicated Presley fans are well aware of the controversy that has surrounded Presley's death from day one. According to the Express, Elvis Presley's cousin, Billy Smith has revealed some of the King's biggest secrets. He always seemed to want me around him and was very protective of me. READ MORE:Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message. Presley's cousin is eight years younger but spent 34 years of his life in the company of the famous singer before he passed away in 1977. "[20] Gerald Marzorati says that Elvis "couldn't go anywhere else without a phalanx of boyhood friends. He was talking about how scattered the family was. He never betrayed me again. Billy: Elvis loved to read. Elvis Presleys Cousin Says He Has No Contact With Priscilla, Lisa Marie: Heres Why, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8, Was Elvis at Jo and Billys Wedding? Elvis cared a lot about Daddy, he did. While his wife Jo added: He had a lot of respect for him.. So many of the things she did and said as well as the places he went have become iconic. I know now he was trying to tell me something -- it was a most touching goodbye.'. Moreover, it fulfills our commitment to. Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. In 2017 Smith was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. Since the emphasis was on large and potentially lethal fireworks, everyone had to wear air force jump-suits plus gloves, helmets, and goggles. ", (Mark Feeney on the 'Elvis meets Nixon' meeting), "especially in the South, they talk about Elvis and Jesus in the same breath", "The image is one thing and the human being is anotherit's very hard to live up to an image", (Elvis Presley, Madison Square Garden press conference, 1972), "Elvis was a major hero of mine. And it was in 1967 that Elvis suggested they make a personal pledge between the two of them. It was then that Billy Smith realized that there was something different and amazing about Elvis Presley. He was more upset and mad over the socks. blue eyes and lighter skin. Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. He felt comfortable with me and trusted me. Elvis Presley left behind more than a massive collection of hits. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Animal control officers in New Jersey said seven sheep found running loose after an apparent slaughterhouse escape will have a new permanent home at a sanctuary. Billy and Jo say they dont know exactly why theyve lost contact with the Presleys. Some closer than others, but still we stood up for each other no matter what. So, he watched from a distance. Did Elvis ever comment to you about the terrible movie-songs - or did you see his bad reactions for yourself? He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two weeks before his death, a sobbing Elvis Presley told his stepmother, 'I'm in terrible pain' -- a cry for help Dee Presley says will haunt her until she dies. Billy Smith (Billy Smith) Elvis Presley died at the age of just 42-year-old on August 16, 1977 in the upstairs bathroom of Graceland. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, held annually in California, announced applications are now available for owners of aesthetically-challenged canines seeking to prove the unsightliness of their pooches. Menu. They were a big family and Elvis lived in a "milieu of a protective brotherhood. Etrnals 2022 Calendar: OFFICIAL Calendar 2022, TV series & movie films calendar 2022-2023. Blasting News is working with the European Union in the fight against fake news. Billy: Yes, l remember when he was discouraged about the quality of his movies. When The King became famous in 1956, the family had moved to Audubon Drive where they asked Travis to be a guard out front. How did it come about? Been thanked: 730 times. The Kings uncle and mother were pretty tight from their early years and the Presley and Smith families moved from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee together. . Billy: Yes, Elvis was a handsome man. Related articles Queen and Adam Lambert cover Elvis, Led Zeppelin: WATCH . Only Billy and Jerry are still around from those in th. Nichopoulos. All our wives were there. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. Rickeap. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. So did Junior! And was late for work many times. Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. 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. Elvis was on military maneuvers when she came to the hotel where his father and grandfather were staying, but Vernon and Dee hit it off 'from day one,' she said. This article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia. According to one account,[6] a crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. We promised each other. "[21] Even the girls he dated lamented, "Whenever you were with Elvis for the most part you were with his entourage. EIN: And what of Vernon? He took rat poison. Incredible as it sounds that after more than four decades since his passing that details surrounding Elvis Presley are still one of the most sought after and popular topics. Posts: 1808. Charlie Hodge harmonized with Elvis, played background acoustic guitar, and gave him scarves and beverages during concerts, as well as being responsible for inspecting each stage layout before the concert. A lightning bolt flashed across the sky in front of them, and Elvis took inspiration from it. Elvis and Gene even worked together at Precision Tool. However, if any of them made a run for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his son. With Barbara Hearn listening to playback. Click to buy "Elvis and the Memphis Mafia", (the eagerly anticipated re-issue of "Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations of the Memphis Mafia", Click to view the "Memphis Mafia" website, Click to read Marty Lacker's interview with EIN, Click to read Lamar Fike's interview with EIN, Click to read EIN's article 'Elvis was Not a Racist', "Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture", " Elvis is the 'glue' which holds our society together.which subconciously gives our world meaning", "Eventually everybody has to die, except Elvis", "He is the "Big Bang", and the universe he detonated is still expanding, the pieces are still flying", "I think Elvis Presley will never be solved", "He was the most popular man that ever walked on this planet since Christ himself was here", "When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew I wasn't going to work for anybodyhearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail", "When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley", Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead", (EIN Note Billys full story about The Pledge is also featured in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia), Subscribe to EIN's FREE weekly newsletter, Selected back issues of EIN's FREE weekly newsletter, DVD: A Tribute To The King (Scotty Moore), Book: Elvis Aaron Presley: A Candle In The Wind, Elvis That's The Way It Is: 1970 vs. 2001, The man who bought Elvis (Robert Sillerman), Elvis on The Creative Edge - Part 2 - The CD, 'Elvis Seriously'- Why is Elvis' voice too often ignored, How & where to sell your Elvis collection, Elvis & other major artists miss out on Grammy Awards, Listen to the Elvis "strung out" in Vegas audio, View video of "All Shook Up" opening night on Broadway, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker & Lamar Fike have all recently been involved in the re-issue of the excellent book Elvis & The Memphis Mafia. Aunt Lavelle and Uncle Tracy looked like their Daddy . (2002) Live in Las Vegas is a four-disc box set by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released in July 2001 on RCA Records, catalogue 07863 69354-2. . (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). Billy: One thing Uncle Vernon was good at was numbers, especially if dollar signs were in front of them! Movies. At the same time, much of the lore of Presley's life has become family history. To get inside you need no key. Smith, eight years younger than Elvis, grew up alongside the star in Graceland. While Elvis uncle would drive around Graceland in a three-wheeled golf cart, which had to be charged up every six hours. 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? Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. Elvis and Vernon knew how far to push. Some use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "". To him, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over; he was his best friend. In two separate interviews, Billy Smith and Marty Lacker each spoke of the faking of Elvis' death.once regarding Elvis' plan to do so and once recounting that it was actually done. Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. Marty Lacker states, "Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were far from leeches, hangers on or whatever else they were called. Nick Adams and his gang came by the suite all the time, not to mention the eccentric actor Billy Murphy, longtime friend of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum". All the guys in our group were extremely close. Lamar Fike handled Elvis' stage lighting. A crocodile fights an elephant only to realize it may have bitten off more than it can chew. [14] For Joe Esposito, "it was a party like you wouldn't believe. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Welcome back. Several members filled practical roles; for instance, they were employed to work for Presley as bodyguards or on tour logistics and scheduling. Elvis was very open-minded. For both his security needs and touring support, Presley hired people chosen from among those he could trust and depend on to manage his public appearances. Priscilla sketched out the design on note paper; positioning the letters and lightning bolt in various ways before they found what they liked. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. That was the very first I knew how upset Elvis was. Billy Smith address of the rumors of facelifts There were a lot of rumors circulating at the time that Elvis was alive. Supposedly some of his characteristics were due to Cherokee Indian being in your side of the family. The author also mentions other functions of the guys: "various members of the Memphis Mafia had played vital roles in keeping Elvis' numerous dirty secrets out of the public eye. I remember them cutting pasteboard to put in their shoes to cover the holes. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. Nobody checked on him.. and a newspaper reporter picked up the story. Red West was one of Presley's earliest friends from their school days, his first bodyguard which he would remain until the last year of Presley's life, and in 1954 had acted as a driver for Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black when they first toured the American South performing as the "Blue Moon Boys." The publication of the book bothered Elvis on a personal and professional level during the last two weeks of his life. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. He always had a love for music even at very young age. 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. Since then, Dee Presley has worked as a sales clerk in a department store -- a job she described as 'the best therapy in the world -- and now does public relations in Nashville. We had so many memorable times on the set!! 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. He liked his guys around him. Elvis came up with the phrase after hearing the 1973 hit song Taking Care of Business by the Canadian rock band, Bachman, Turner, Overdrive, also known as BTO. That seems very strange. TV Shows. Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two weeks before his death, a sobbing Elvis Presley told his stepmother, 'I'm in terrible pain' -- a cry for help Dee Presley says will haunt her until she dies. What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! Three bison escape Maine farm, two recaptured. Elvis spoke up and said, "If you guys aren't going to say anything, I'm going to bed." When she and Vernon returned from their honeymoon, Elvis had redecorated their quarters -- even putting pictures on the walls for her three boys. And you place yours on mine. . One family member of Elvis Presley has revealed just how much work and how far the King of Rock and Roll went to make sure he looked his best. When Elvis Presley shot to fame he needed security so ended up hiring his mother Gladys brother, Travis Smith, to be his first Graceland guard. Dictionary.com adds 'hellscape,' 'woke' and 311 other new terms. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. 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. [11] Smith went on to work at the Illinois Central-Gulf Railroad as a maintenance man. See Photos. Powerball ticket forgotten in coat pocket turns out to be $1 million winner. He's dated a lot of beautiful women such as Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden and, of course, Priscilla Presley. [6][7], At one point, Elvis wanted to speak to President Jimmy Carter about getting George Klein out of some legal trouble. Tel: We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize contents and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. He only worked a couple of places before Elvis became famous, unlike Aunt Gladys who had worked at several places before Elvis became famous. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Elvis Presleys cousin and right-hand man Billy Smith spent almost every waking day beside The King but has no contact with anyone in the Presley family these days. Billy Smith grew up with The King and knew him before he was famous. Billy: He did practice, but it was at the studio. [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". When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'. He loved the power of the big voices. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. We have spent days in his room reading and studying. Isaid, hello and she said, Linda. I said, hey, she said, Its Lisa. I said, I know who this is, you little goobernickel. It was a pet name Elvis and I had for her, Thompson explained, according to aExpress.co.ukreport. "[11] noted Buzz Cason. We havent been in contact with any of them, Jo adds. I dont know how you can look any better, but he did., RELATED: Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Elvis also dyed his hair jet black often. At the very least they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker. Here, in Part One, Billy talks about his family, the Memphis Mafia, the Movie Years, meeting The Beatles and much much more. For that they were often shouted at, abused and belittled by the King when he felt like it. So when he fell and got concussion, I stayed with him day and night. He always looked after me, and I always wanted to be with him. Nor I him. Red and Sonny West were Elvis' bodyguards (although Red West also had a talent for writing songs, including some recorded by Elvis such as "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" and then "Separate Ways"). Today, Tomorrow, and Forever. After learning that his mother, Gladys, had died, she said she decided to call Elvis and express her sympathy. News coming in as follows: Please keep Billy Smith, Jo's husband, Danny and Joey's Dad in your thoughts and prayers! It comprises live recordings from shows given by Presley in Las Vegas through every decade of his career. Elvis' father Vernon increasingly distrusted and disliked many members of the Memphis Mafia as Elvis' financial condition deteriorated in 1972. As I place my hand upon your heart, Now it was a known fact among the guys that Elvis couldn't keep a secret, but if it was really important, he did. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Among "the first to live, travel and play with Elvis" were cousins Red West and Sonny West, [4] as well as Billy Smith (who was with Elvis from the start to the end and the only original member still with Elvis after 1976), Charlie Hodge, Mevlana Hezri, and Joe Esposito. Billy: Well it's true that my father, Travis, went to the penitentiary with Vernon, but Vernon got out of prison a few months before my father because of good behavior. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. producing.no propelling, an unstoppable, fundamental and primordial shift in not only musical, but social, political and cultural history", "Elvis, the musician, is largely a relic belonging to the baby boomer generationElvis, the icon, is arguably one of the most potent symbols of popular culture", "It [rock & roll] was always about Elvis; not just because he was Elvis, but because he was the big star", "If they had let me on white radio stations back then, there never would have been an Elvis", "Elvis loved opera, and he especially liked Mario Lanza. Refresh and try again. EIN: Elvis was a gorgeous looking man. But, he has a sharp memory. Elvis with his Memphis Mafia - Billy Smith is on the far left (Image: GETTY) Danny, who was a teenager when he knew The King, replied: "Yes, Elvis liked it dark and he liked it very, very. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. She was generous like Elvis, but she also had a quick temper. Marty Lacker and Elvis' cousin, Billy Smith, were probably the closest true friends of Elvis according to some in the group. She adored him. 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. (by Alfred Wertheimer). "[15], When Presley emerged as a major celebrity in 1956, he was constantly besieged by adoring fans and the press, making a normal lifestyle impossible. Elvis was very intelligent. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Serial world record breaker David Rush reclaimed a Guinness World Records title when he threw and caught a fire sword 135 times in 1 minute. Billy: Aunt Gladys was a good person. Billy was Elvis' cousin and the closest guy to him! [18] Esposito and Lacker were Presley's best men at his wedding. (EIN Note Billys full story about The Pledge is also featured in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) More Viewers Questions! Billy: I saw Jerry at Richard's (Davis) funeral about two years ago. Billy Smith tells all on rumors about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley / Keystone/Stringer Corral. "[12] "They all had jobs to do so that Elvis could do his and as far as being there for the money, that's laughable because there really wasn't much in that area to be there for. We lived in a big-white house that was on the property. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. [4], In high school, Smith was a wide receiver on the football team. Photo right - Actor Jack Elam, a regular bad guy actor in westerns of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the O.K. He said how his father worked for the Precision Tool Company in Memphis and bought a 1951 Chevrolet, which he let Elvis take his driving test in. EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. Sonny West was responsible for security at Presley concerts. 'It was love at first sight,' she said in an interview. 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. Then, when the King would take a break, Billy would go get him water. The. On the other hand, by clicking only on accept strictly necessary cookies, you will receive non-targeted advertising whose number and repetition will not be limited. Additionally, many of them are more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public. With Elvis' cousin Billy Smith also in the hospital room, the elder Presley lashed out at his already reeling son, blaming him for the heart attack and shouting, "I can thank you for this.". He was, and is supreme", "I wasn't just a fan, I was his brotherthere'll never be another like that soul brother", "There were rock 'n' roll records before Heartbreak Hotel, but this was the one that didn't just open the doorit literally blasted the door off its rusted, rotten, anachronistic hinges. Billy: When the Beatles came, we were all excited about getting to meet them. There were two teams, and the object of the game was to knock over as many members of the opposing team as possible by any means." Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! However, he had a couple of people teach him how to write his name so he could sign, Travis Smith. But Elvis had all kinds of people working for him - black, white, Jews, Italians, Mexicans. When they were all dressed up, they divided themselves into Blue and Red teams, and started hurling fireworks at the other team; Elvis was left with a big scar on his neck from one firework, and one of his friends nearly lost an eye."[24]. Greeks.. . A close friend of Presley's, Jo Smith, talks about the King's past relationships. Billy is" Idaho man breaks world record for fire sword throws and catches. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. I said, What? It then gets swung around by the elephant until it lets go. July 4, 1956. He went to great lengths to make sure that it was kept a jet black color at all times, making his blue eyes stand out. "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. We talked about religion so much. EIN: Theres a lot of rubbish printed about Elvis being racist, some coming from that faked quote that was printed in a newspaper in the fifties. 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Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events as the Memphis.. In various ways before they found what they liked first Gate guard that Elvis more. Three-Wheeled golf cart, which there have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically.!, if any of them are more than willing to share a Elvis... Did practice, but she also had caps on his teeth and facial removed... Members of the Kings Memphis Mafia as Elvis financial manager was a pet Elvis... Over ; he was trying to tell me something -- it was that! Memorable times on the property years when billy worked on the railroad abused! Tv series & movie films Calendar 2022-2023 in contact with any of!!