He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. To get inside you need no key. Elvis was always my hero. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Maine said one bison remained on the loose Tuesday after three of the animals were seen running loose on a road Monday. Lunar Moon Phases I January 2022 - December 2022 Calendrier12 Months | BONUS 4 Months 2023, Buffalo Thunder: The Athletic Tradition of West Texas A&m University, My Life as I Remember It: Growing Up in Alabama. They speculated that Elvis has done facelifts and also dyed his hair to look younger and more charming. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. By accepting "all cookies", including profiling cookies, in addition to supporting our free offer, you will receive advertisements in line with your interests. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. But stranger things have happened. She adored him. [citation needed], Peter Guralnick writes that Elvis spent all day and night with the members from the Memphis Mafia: "For Elvis and the guys Hollywood was just an open invitation to party all night long. Thats it. 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. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. It would be the most historic and brilliant well-kept secrets any celebrity has ever pulled. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. Elvis Presley died at the age of just 42-year-old on August 16, 1977 in the upstairs bathroom of Graceland. Billy: Elvis did ask me to become foreman, and he talked about getting rid of several people. [9] When Elvis died, Smith was a pallbearer at Elvis' funeral, along with Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike and George C. He said he would see me on his next tour. 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. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. And, in the early days, they lived with him. Moreover, when approached by Vanity Fair, several Elvis experts attested to its seeming. EIN: Did you ever visit the studios for Elvis recording sessions? Photo right - Actor Jack Elam, a regular bad guy actor in westerns of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the O.K. Billy Smith. He loved the power of the big voices. "[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. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. [4], In high school, Smith was a wide receiver on the football team. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. EIN: Did you always travel with Elvis to film the movies? Did you ever see the bad side of this? Billy: Elvis enjoyed the Nashville "Guitar Man" sessions with Jerry Reed. He won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in the NHL. Over the years they were joined on the payroll by Alan Fortas, Richard Davis, Marty Lacker, Jimmy Kingsley, "Chief" Ray Sitton, Jerry Schilling, Mike Keeton, Dave Hebler, Sam Thompson and numerous others. Dee Presley was married to the famed singer's father, Vernon, from 1960 -- at the height of Elvis's stardom -- until 1974 when they were divorced. And he loved big orchestras. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. l, like most the guys, was in many of his movies as an extra. Along with his wife Jo, he and their two sons lived in a trailer in the back yard. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. Even though the famous couple broke up 8 months before Elvis Presley passed, Thompson stayed close to his nine-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie. Can you clarify what happened and how did you feel about this happening being real family? 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. She said, My Daddys dead, my Daddys dead., I cant even tell you what I felt, I was stunned and paralyzed. Gene died a few years ago. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Etrnals 2022 Calendar: OFFICIAL Calendar 2022, TV series & movie films calendar 2022-2023. Billy with Elvis before leaving for Germany & the army in 1958. After all, Smith is the Kings cousin. Aunt Lavelle and Uncle Tracy looked like their Daddy . EIN: Is it true that in 1977 Elvis asked you to become Chief foreman and that he considered getting rid of The Colonel once again and even Joe Esposito? Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. "[21] Even the girls he dated lamented, "Whenever you were with Elvis for the most part you were with his entourage. Billy: He was never fond of working. Elvis and Gene even worked together at Precision Tool. "[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. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. This is [Elvis at home] with his cousin, Billy Smith (left), who's still alive, and Bobby Smith (right), who committed suicide. He will reach a new level of popularity in a few years and will attain widespread popularity. Presley faced repeated threats of physical violence from outraged moral extremists and death threats from fanatics, as would later happen when he performed in Las Vegas. [2] At that time Judy Spreckels seems to have been the only woman. Smith went on to recall how Presley decided to have his nose trimmed down. But, he never criticized other religions either. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? I fell in head first. She also travels with Elvis impersonator Elvis Wade and introduces him when he performs. They were not allowed to take the trailer that Elvis had purchased for them that they had lived in on the Graceland property. He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. These original Memphis Mafia members at the time the phrase was coined were cousins Sonny West,[7] and Red West, as well as Billy Smith, and Charlie Hodge, among others. Billy: Uncle Tracy had a fever when he was a child, and it caused him to be slow. His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. 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. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. About Elvis Presley, Smith said, When Elvis was on stage, somehow he had a way of bringing you into his world. That was also true when he performed in the studio. She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. Please tell us about it. He was sullen and disturbed because of what had happened to him when he was in the army in Korea. 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. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. 'It was a very strange telephone conversation. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. 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. That happened a lot of times, and we thought nothing of it. [citation needed], In numerous press conferences concerning Elvis: What Happened?, both of the West cousins stated they wrote the book in part to make Elvis realize that his dependence on prescription medications was (literally) killing him. (by Alfred Wertheimer). [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. we were all three there talking for hours about everything in the world! "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. 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. He always looked after me, and I always wanted to be with him. 15 distinct works. Billy is" It's no secret that Elvis Presleyhad many relationships throughout the years. Dedicated Presley fans are well aware of the controversy that has surrounded Presley's death from day one. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. Another was his father Vernons sister Aunt Delta, who was widowed and actually lived at the mansion until her death in 1993, over a decade after tours began. See if your friends have read any of Billy Smith's books. When it was good, it was very good, and when it was bad, it was awful. Dee and Vernon Presley remained friends after their divorce, she said, and might have gotten back together someday if he had not died in 1979. He took rat poison. That broke the ice, and after that, they talked for hours. According to one account,[6] a crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. All the guys in our group were extremely close. Elvis' father Vernon increasingly distrusted and disliked many members of the Memphis Mafia as Elvis' financial condition deteriorated in 1972. This first referred to their image, as they usually cruised the city in black mohair suits and dark sunglasses. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. Billy: I was always close to Elvis, but I was his family. One thing was to tour Europe. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia was originally a monumental 4,000 page oral biography, written after numerous individual and group interviews between Alanna Nash and Memphis Mafia stalwarts, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike. No, hes not, Thompson continued. When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. Elvis Presleys Graceland upstairs bedroom: Kings hilarious habit, Elvis Presley: Ann-Margret learned King was dead after touching gift, Elvis: How King looked after illiterate uncle when he was too ill to be a Graceland guard, Elvis' uncle Travis Smith, the first Graceland guard, Elvis Presleys generosity 'is thanks to little-known relative Noah', Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message, Elvis: Priscilla Presley tribute speech at Graceland Candlelight Vigil. Do you remember Elvis singing to you or the family before he became famous? As I place my hand upon your heart, 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. Top. He trusted us. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. Billy: The pledge came about because we had an incident as kids and were never to talk about it. 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 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. There is often talk of Elvis practising with Johnny Burnette and his brother around this time. Billy Smith talks about some of the movies he was in with Elvis. Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. Can you imagine how we felt living in a place like that? . Blasting News is working with the European Union in the fight against fake news. TV Shows. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." In fact, Billy and his wife Jo lived on the grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years. Billy Smith. He made it a good time. 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 his relationship like with Elvis? In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. 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. Dog rescued after falling 12 feet into Georgia storm drain. He was there with the rest of the Memphis Mafia when Presley was at his peak. During the June 9 to June 13 event, Presleys cousin Billy Smith and The Kings former girlfriend Linda Thompson were in attendance. 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 liked his guys around him. Billy Stanley, her son by a previous marriage, called her and said Elvis was offering $5,000 if she would telephone him, she said. 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. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A swimmer visiting a beach in New South Wales, Australia, found a mussel-covered message in a bottle that turned out to have traveled more than 185 miles. Message in a bottle travels more than 185 miles in Australia. These two interviews were done years apart. So down to earth. And, he had unbelievable strength. Elvis and his friends got out of the two cars and someone in the crowd yelled, "Who are they, the Mafia?" Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? Nichopoulos. He was talking about how scattered the family was. They roared with laughter. When The King became famous in 1956, the family had moved to Audubon Drive where they asked Travis to be a guard out front. Billy: I don't remember anything about him practicing with Johnny Burnett or his brother. After all, there are several books and documentaries out there that detail large portions of his life and exploits. Find your friends on Facebook. [22] According to Presley's cousin Billy Smith, Elvis got into bed with Smith and his wife Jo "many times at Graceland when we would spend the night there in Lisa's room, or on tour in the hotel, and at the trailer on the property at Graceland. Smith said, I feel like so many of Elvis fans know exactly what Im talking about. If he had to try to nail it down, he said, I think he put his heart and soul into every song he recorded, good or bad.. 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.". 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. Elvis Presley gave a lot of thought and time into obtaining what he considered his perfect look throughout his short-lived life. However, the best sources for information about Elvis Presley are the people who knew him while he was alive. 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. Can you confirm the story? We heard stories about Morning Dove, but not that much talk about her. A fan asked if they stay in contact with the Presley family, and if not, why. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? [6][7], At one point, Elvis wanted to speak to President Jimmy Carter about getting George Klein out of some legal trouble. When Elvis bought Graceland Billys family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Occasionally, Travis would give fans a ride and even let them inside the gates of Graceland. Elviss cousin grew up with him in Tupelo, Mississippi and says that it could be true. Billy says that Elvis likely got them separated since people often take that route. In fact, there are many new Elvis Presley projects in the works in 2020. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino, Della Reese, Jackie Wilson, the Four Aces, the Dominoes all the old acts. 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. We were like brothers. I said, What? Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? The King died in 1977. 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. Billy Smith is known for Elvis (1979), Elvis: Tortured Soul (2022) and Elvis: The Final Hours (2018). Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! That's the reason I've never remarried. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. or. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland. We have spent days in his room reading and studying. Billy: Larry Geller was okay. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. [10] According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. Some use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "". [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. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. Billy Smith. Hes dead. The only thing that brought it to reality was when she said, Hes smothered in the carpet. And when she said that, I just threw the phone because I thought, Ok, hes gone. EIN: What can you tell us of your Aunt Gladys? The Smith family collection includes a toy car from Elvis's childhood that was given to Billy Smith by Gladys Presley, a pair of lamps purchased by Elvis on one of his shopping sprees for the . Stephanie-Billy Smith. She was always laughing & carrying on. Thus family members and friends of his youth were very important to him. (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. She also opened up about the devastating phone call relaying his death to her. With Barbara Hearn listening to playback. [1] Contents 1 Playing career Want to listen to your favourite artists and the latest songs? 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. EIN: Whats your earliest memory of Elvis? Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. [citation needed], Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business". Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. He felt comfortable with me and trusted me. EIN: Can you tell us a little about Junior Smith your other cousin? The first expos book, Elvis: What Happened?, appeared in 1977 shortly before Elvis's death. We all loved him and had a job to do. Elvis was more understanding, and he wanted someone with him too. Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? Were they fun or boring as a bystander? The reason being someone told him his eyes were so blue and all that, [so] if he had dark hair it would make his eyes stand out.. Elvis had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him. Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:57 pm. How did it come about? Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977. Been thanked: 730 times. Related articles Queen and Adam Lambert cover Elvis, Led Zeppelin: WATCH . DON'T MISSElvis: Priscilla Presley tribute speech at Graceland Candlelight Vigil[PRISCILLA]Elvis death: Is Gracelands upstairs preserved just as King left it? Billy: Elvis loved to read. 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. New Elvis projects will include Hound dog treats for dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021. 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. 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, he has a sharp memory. 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.
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