Elvis and Parker discussed offering the Wests a monetary settlement in return for a written agreement the book would not be published, and their experiences with Elvis, on stage and off would remain confidential. More info. There were often rumors of Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like facelifts and dying his hair. 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 enjoyed the Self Realization Park. Tapir briefly escapes enclosure at Florida zoo. Sometimes they would hang out with Sammy Davis, Jr., or check out Bobby Darin at the Cloister. And, the singer bought 'truckloads' of toys for her sons. Billy Smith. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. Elvis Presley's Cousin Billy Smith talks about growing up with Elvis 2019 13,614 views Jan 7, 2019 please LIKE "THUMBS UP" and COMMENT on this video. As one of Elvis' closest confidants and a blood relative, Smith has been described as a "wonderful asset to the Elvis Presley fans worldwide."[13]. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman said a Powerball ticket found forgotten in the pocket of her husband's coat turned out to be a $1 million winner. And, in the early days, they lived with him. So when we moved into Graceland Vernon asked my daddy to be the head gate guard, just as hed been at Elvis house on Audubon Drive. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. That was in 1960. [1], Smith has given numerous interviews for a range of media that have covered Elvis. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino, Della Reese, Jackie Wilson, the Four Aces, the Dominoes all the old acts. I guess they dont like us, I dont know, youd have to ask them. 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. TV Shows. Kalendar Calendario Calendrier.1, Al View Calendar 2022: Landscape view, USA United States of America Noncontiguous State Nature. However, he cant put his finger on what the X factor was, to this day. [5], Smith was one of Elvis' closest friends and confidantes, and the two would talk for hours up in Elvis' bedroom at Graceland, even acting out Monty Python scenes. 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. Joe Esposito served as Elvis' chief road manager and personal aide for 17 years. Travis' son Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin who was a Memphis Mafia member, shared the story of his father in the latest YouTube episode of Memphis Mafia Kid. It was 1958 and Elvis was on leave from the US Army. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. She also opened up about the devastating phone call relaying his death to her. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. However, Presley's enormous wealth allowed him an ability to separate himself from the general public, especially in his home city of Memphis. 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"! Refresh and try again. "It's just a simple word, you see, She said, Yes he is, yes he is. Sometimes he would have a bad dream and come looking for me to talk to, and he would actually fall asleep in our bed with us. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). Jerry was always nice to me and my family and to my Mother and Daddy, and I will always remember him for that. (by Alfred Wertheimer). EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. Elvis Presley gave a lot of thought and time into obtaining what he considered his perfect look throughout his short-lived life. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Sometimes Tracy would stay down there at the gate with Daddy and pretend he was a gate guard. This article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia. In these cases Presley paid salaries, but most lived off fringe benefits such as gifts, cars, houses and bonuses. He was amazed at some of his findings, and he made sure that we all were aware of them. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. He said how his father worked for the. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." We havent been in contact with any of them, Jo adds. New Elvis projects will include Hound dog treats for dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. I will never forget that night and I know Elvis really liked them. Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. He talked about the record to his mother and daddy, and we knew he was going to make one, but when it came out it thrilled all of us. See Photos. Did Elvis understand? Countless fans from around the globe have spent hours digging into the deep lore of the Kings life. Another game was called the 'Whip' game. Billy: Elvis enjoyed the Nashville "Guitar Man" sessions with Jerry Reed. For example, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch a film. 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. Idaho man breaks world record for fire sword throws and catches. She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." 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. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. 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. Error rating book. Elvis Presley left behind more than a massive collection of hits. He was there with the rest of the Memphis Mafia when Presley was at his peak. Their requests to speak directly to Elvis about their employment termination and the nominal severance pay were not granted. 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. I don't know where it came from or if Elvis just made it up. He loved Elvis, and Elvis provided for him. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. Several in our group were close to Elvis at one time or the other. EIN: Cousin Billy Mann. "[12] Marty went on to say, "Most of us were not there for the money, we were there because we all cared about Elvis and each other like brothers. 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? He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. The. Billy Smith. Presleys 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. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. He had gotten a quick acetate cut, which . Elvis is testing the three songs that he recorded a few days earlier. We were told that she was a beautiful woman. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! But Elvis never confirmed them. 'I could. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. He was my hero. She also travels with Elvis impersonator Elvis Wade and introduces him when he performs. It has been speculated that Elvis Presley was forced to fake his death in order to protect himself and his family after allegedly outing some pretty powerful mafia members. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). However, if any of them made a run for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his son. The annual Elvis Presley Tupelo Festival went ahead as planned this year after taking last year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. "[20] Gerald Marzorati says that Elvis "couldn't go anywhere else without a phalanx of boyhood friends. As I said, everyone had a job to do. EIN: Elvis was a gorgeous looking man. Top. For that they were often shouted at, abused and belittled by the King when he felt like it. Even though the famous couple broke up 8 months before Elvis Presley passed, Thompson stayed close to his nine-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie. "[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. [10] According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." She was always laughing & carrying on. He deserved to have peace of mind. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. That was the very first I knew how upset Elvis was. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis and Gene even worked together at Precision Tool. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. Elvis: How Lisa Marie's name was chosen and what a boy would be called, Dusty Hill dead: ZZ Top star's mother had inspiring Elvis encounter, Elvis: How King overcame his fear of flying according Memphis Mafia, Elvis ex Linda Thompson on unique language she had with The King. He would watch The Student Prince which was set in Heidelberg, over and over again. Those guys were always around". But, he has a sharp memory. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. All our wives were there. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? book. 'He was so wonderful. July 4, 1956. That seems very strange. Billy: Elvis loved to read. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. Want to listen to your favourite artists and the latest songs? [10] Besides Ginger Alden, Smith and his wife Jo had been the last people to see Elvis alive. EIN: Can you tell us a little about Junior Smith your other cousin? Elvis was more understanding, and he wanted someone with him too. "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. Were they fun or boring as a bystander? [8] Elvis' wife Priscilla helped with the creation of this logo on a flight through stormy conditions. Jerry still lives in the house in LA that Elvis bought him in 1974 and is still involved in Elvis projects. Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. Nichopoulos. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. Some Elvis Presley fans may find the animated series an insult to the King of Rock and Roll, while many others could find it very interesting. Priscilla sketched out the design on note paper; positioning the letters and lightning bolt in various ways before they found what they liked. Contents 1 Biography 2 With Elvis 3 Later life 4 References Biography [ edit] [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. 'I called and said, 'Elvis, what in the world is wrong?' Movies. And, he had unbelievable strength. 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. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. 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. Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. And we were always close, even with the eight year age difference. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? Currently, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel. 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. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. In fact, there are many new Elvis Presley projects in the works in 2020. 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. It was then that Billy Smith realized that there was something different and amazing about Elvis Presley. This so-called Bodyguard book came from the West cousins and Dave Hebler, fired by Presley's father. Smith realized this as he stood slack-jawed watching the King lay down vocals. 15 distinct works. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Rickeap. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. and a newspaper reporter picked up the story. He made it a good time. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. Billy Smith (Billy Smith) [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". Nor I him. Check us out on facebook at. He said it would teach him a lesson. I remember them cutting pasteboard to put in their shoes to cover the holes. One thing was to tour Europe. Sonc Coloring Book: 100+ Sonc Coloring Pages for Boys, Girls, Kids, Ages 4-8, Ages 8-12, Adults to Relax and Have Fun, Great Gift Idea for Sonc Fans! Many people were employed with the group through the years but some of the more prominent members were Joe Esposito, Lamar Fike, Alan Fortas, Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Richard Davis, Red West, Sonny West, Dave Hebler, Al Strada, Dr. Nick, Larry Geller, Charlie Hodge, Jerry Schilling, Sam Thompson and Gene Smith. we were family. 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? [3], After Elvis became famous, Smith's father Travis worked for him as Chief Guard, and the family moved into Graceland. Is he still alive? Seven sheep escape from New Jersey slaughterhouse, find new sanctuary home. With friends, family and to my Mother and Daddy, and Elvis provided for him your?! A wonderful source of information as Well as stories about Elvis and way! Had them surgically separated became famous for one thing, we could go..., he cant put his finger on what the X factor was, to this day the Nashville Guitar! 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