Elvis, and Billy were close Cousin's even in eight years apart in age. Billy: Yes. (EIN Note The full story about Elvis testing everyones honesty is in the M.M. Elvis Presley faked his own death after paying a terminally ill lookalike to be buried in his place, The People can sensationally reveal. Billy Smith, Elvis' first cousin is recovering from a heart attack. May 1 (UPI) -- Crews at a Pennsylvania wastewater plant received a surprise when they discovered a small alligator at the facility. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. And Elvis trusted him. Our lives are like night and day. When asked to check his ego at the door, Elvis pauses, nods his head and says, "Yep, it's still there!" Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? Billy continued: Even when he was in his bedroom he always had somebody there. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. Dee Presley said her telephone conversation with Elvis shortly before his death was the first indication she had that something was seriously wrong with him. I don't know where it came from or if Elvis just made it up. Joe Esposito on Geraldo; GIFTS FROM JESSE TO ME AND MY HUSBAND. January 1995: Elvis calls a news conference to announce his retirement from touring. 285285 52 shares Share How did it come about? Severed hand at side of Michigan highway was a rubber fake. blue eyes and lighter skin. March 1978: Elvis sets out on his longest tour ever, dazzling critics and fans with his newly toned physique and renewed energy. And a much-heralded return to rock in the form of the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up is equally unsuccessful. It was a very strong bond, and Elvis was the center of it all. One of the most popular of these is that The King took another identity after swapping places with a doppelgnger who was terminally ill. Interestingly, Elvis cousin and Memphis Mafia member Billy Smith has revealed how The King once told him how he could swap places with a lookalike. There were a lot of rumors circulating at the time that Elvis was alive. 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. She said Elvis told her he was not surprised and the marriage had his blessing. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. Without Elvis, its not home. Wellings daughter later spied him scarfing Whoppers at Burger King. A lot of Elvis family was not invited to the premiere and I dont knowwho did the invitations Ive got a pretty good idea but I just thought that was really tacky. Maybe Elvis figured his acting skills would help him avoid suspicion. She also mentioned names of others who weren't in attendance like major girlfriends of Elvis' after he divorced Priscilla Presley. $109,000 lottery jackpot won on Kentucky couple's 44th anniversary. Billy: One thing Uncle Vernon was good at was numbers, especially if dollar signs were in front of them! Billy: Larry Geller was okay. He also allows his mystical bent to resurface, retelling the tale of his near-death experience to audiences and commissioning a midset New Age instrumental featuring cellos and mouth harps, which soon becomes known as The Harmonica Convergence. I really wasnt expecting this. 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. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? These same fans also believe that Presley is also still alive in 2020 and will one day return to the public eye announcing that he had faked his death, revealing himself to his fans once again. Some, however, feel he slightly undermines the message of Kicks with a vigorous midsong demonstration of karate moves. A similar case of mistaken identity led to some excitement a few years later, when sports agent Larry Kolb was captured looking uncannily Elvis-like alongside his client (and Elviss pal) Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson in a 1984 newspaper photo. Elvis always liked to be the "Main Event." At the very least they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker. He also added that when he looked at the windows, he felt Elvis Presleys presence. So I think he had someone with him as much as he could., The Kings mother Gladys Presley died just a couple of years into his fame in 1958, leaving him devastated. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. We were told that she was a beautiful woman. ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. Billy: I was always close to Elvis, but I was his family. Billy: Aunt Gladys was a good person. Billy: I was travelling with Elvis for almost every one of the movies. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Supposedly some of his characteristics were due to Cherokee Indian being in your side of the family. EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. By accepting "all cookies", including profiling cookies, in addition to supporting our free offer, you will receive advertisements in line with your interests. Billy: Yes, Elvis was a handsome man. Corral. 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. His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. EIN: Whats your earliest memory of Elvis? EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. At least, he always told me did. Through all the dubious decisions, the excessive percentage skimmed from Elvis' earnings even the revelations of the Colonel's identity as an undocumented immigrant Elvis had stayed loyal to his business partner. With that, what critics like to call the "Fit Elvis era" is over. Billy with Elvis before leaving for Germany & the army in 1958. . It was 1958 and Elvis was on leave from the US Army. I didnt know what to expect. Three generations of The Kings family were present, from his ex-wife Priscilla and his only child Lisa Marie to the granddaughters he never met in Riley, Harper and Finley. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He was my hero. To date, numerous reports say fans believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977, but was placed in witness protection. Is it true that your Aunt Gladys had the same temper? Tuesday, 2nd May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. In 1988, a woman named Louise Welling from nearby Vicksburg claimed she had seen Presley standing in line at the local Felpauschsupermarket. But, why bust his bubble. After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. She also travels with Elvis impersonator Elvis Wade and introduces him when he performs. These were consistent with the notion that hed faked his own death to escape the public eye (or the mafia, as one theory holds) and return to his humble roots. The first time that I saw it I was nervous, I was gripping the chair going like, Oh God, whats going to happen? November 2002: Clive Davis becomes president of RCA and hits on a plan to revive Elvis' sluggish recording career. DON'T MISSElvis movie erased major girlfriend: I saved his life many times[ELVIS MOVIE]Elvis agreed with Linda on reason that marrying Priscilla was mistake[LINDA THOMPSON]Elvis Week 2022: Graceland announce virtual tickets for global fans[ELVIS WEEK 2022]. I never meant for this story to mislead anybody or hurt anybody in any kind of way.. And the records get worse: The last straw is a cover of Culture Club's Karma Chameleon. Without him, its a home but its not the same. Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. His cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo have shared some memories. Elvis was very open-minded. I know this picture is of you and not of somebody else., I never thought about [that conversation] again until after Elvis was dead.. Had Elvis used a trained financial supervisor who knew how to invest then he wouldnt have had to work so hard in his final years. To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. But what if, by some amazing stroke of fortune, he had lived? Geldof moves on to the next star on his list. The concert, at Wembley Stadium in May, is a triumph, though marred by hundreds of emergency medical calls to treat elderly fans who had fainted from sheer disbelief that their dream had come true. He always told me that he loved me. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. 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. He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. Then during the touring we were together all the time. While this may seem like further proof of a cover-up, its actually a matter of Tennessee law. From this day forward, our minds, our souls, Sometimes Tracy would stay down there at the gate with Daddy and pretend he was a gate guard. During the interview, Billy Smith noted something else he felt the famous rocker would have changed over the years, were he to have lived to the age of 86. "My trainer told me about them it's like getting high from working out.". What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! book. Elvis made Graceland a home. One explanation: The casket was outfitted with a cooling systemthe kind youd use to keep a wax dummy of a beloved celebrity from melting on a hot summer day. But why couldnt you also have the privilege of going to the graveside free of charge? He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. We had so many memorable times on the set!! Like I said we had to go to a whole new area. 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. Elvis Presley talking with newmen in Memphis, Tennessee after his discharge from the Army, 1960 / Everett Collection. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. Speaking on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel, Memphis Mafia Kid, Billy said: This question, Is Elvis still alive? Well, let me say this. For reference, the family refers to the fact that fans must pay in order to visit the singers grave. Billy Smith Interview at MarlowesCheck out the full playlist please LIKE "THUMBS UP" and COMMENT on this video.Check us out on facebook at https://www.facebo. Billy: Uncle Tracy had a fever when he was a child, and it caused him to be slow. It was a good meeting. I know now he was trying to tell me something -- it was a most touching goodbye.'. And that will probably be the last time that I would go back to it.. On August 16, 1977, something momentous happened in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Presley movie reminded Priscilla Presley of King's anger, Elvis filmmakers called idiots by family for 'betraying' his parents, Elvis family portrayed in movie aggravated not to be invited to premiere Really tacky, Elvis with his Memphis Mafia Billy Smith is on the far left, Lisa Marie Presley on emotional, incredible time at Elvis premiere, Lisa Marie's lifetime of 'disappointment' cured at Elvis premiere, Elvis movie erased major girlfriend: I saved his life many times, Elvis agreed with Linda on reason that marrying Priscilla was mistake, Elvis Week 2022: Graceland announce virtual tickets for global fans, Elvis movie review: Tom Hanks Colonel very much the villain of biopic, Elvis girlfriend who found him dead erased from movie Tell his story', Lisa Marie Presley has my first smile in two years with Elvis star, Elvis movie: Major girlfriends and life details erased from biopic, Elvis movie betrayed King, he'd be p***ed off declare close family. Billy Smith with members of the Memphis Mafia in the 1990s (Image: GETTY) Elvis Presley 'is still alive' says Mayor at Graceland event Danny added: "I wanted to be one of the guys." We were in the den when Elvis came out and said to us, "I fell and hit my head. THE DEATH ITSELF. He always seemed to want me around him and was very protective of me. When Elvis Presley passed away in August of 77, he was surrounded by family and members of the Memphis Mafia. Im not really 81, says Barmer, who then compares himself to a Pokmon Go character. He said they were all just alike, basically. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, says, "We're happy to have the boy back with us," but seasoned Colonel-watchers detect a touch of regret at missed opportunities. It was that the premiere was in Memphis and we were not invited to the premiere when other people that were not close to Elvis [were]. Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the Kings headstone. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. He announces that the tour has been rescheduled for next March and adds that he's starting an intensive program to "get myself together physically, mentally and spiritually." Ill remember him and cherish him and love him and all the memories and things of his we have, but I will never ever pay. And maybe some of my grandchildren. . All the guys in our group were extremely close. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. 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. Another one of Elviss cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, as legal documents bearing Presleys signature attest. Also in attendance was Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, who appears at lots of Elvis events with Priscilla. Hes portrayed in a couple of scenes of the biopic, but he and his wife Jo, who lived at the Memphis mansion with the singer, claimed they werent invited to the premiere, nor consulted on the movie. "I kind of think he would probably still be dyeing his hair but you know he might have left a little grey in it," the King's cousin noted. He tells variations of this story, often using a line like "the ego flies on Tuesday, baby," in most of his subsequent live appearances. When Elvis bought Graceland Billys family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Elvis fans come from worldwide, they come here, and they have to, if I was a fan, I would, Smith said in reference to touring his cousins home. Gene died a few years ago. Billy: Yes, l remember when he was discouraged about the quality of his movies. He deserved to have peace of mind. Its been almost 43 years since Elvis Presley died. Click on the topic that interests you to follow it. Some closer than others, but still we stood up for each other no matter what. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Elvis had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him. The general confusion surrounding these and other jargony cause-of-death explanations has undoubtedly helped to foster conspiracy theories. October 2007: The Songbook series having run its course, Davis taps another of his favorite gimmicks: the duets album. 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. That broke the ice, and after that, they talked for hours. Elvis Presley left behind more than a massive collection of hits. We could talk about anything, and we did! Today the stars close relative has a YouTube channel with his wife Jo and the couple answers fans questions about their private times with him. October 1991: Although Elvis is back on top, his eccentricities are increasing. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. We all loved him and had a job to do. At nearly 800 pages the book is justifiably acclaimed as one of the. 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. May 1 (UPI) -- Michigan State Police troopers doing a clean-up at the side of a highway said what initially appeared to be a gruesome discovery turned out to be a realistic-looking severed hand made of rubber. Billy: Yes, Billy Mann was the one who took the picture in the coffin. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. Guide spots rare pink pachyderm in South Africa. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. Unless it turns out Elvis is immortal. Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. 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. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. Tel: We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize contents and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Sound crazy? The cousin of Elvis Presley, Billy Smith, reveals the truth behind Elvis's facelifts, dyed hair, webbed toes, and more through the years. Never wanting to disappoint his fans, nothing was too extreme for Presley. 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. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. Were they fun or boring as a bystander? It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. Fans reckon you can hear King at Graceland LISTEN, Brian May on Queens influences: The Beatles 'built our bible', Rolling Stones: Brian Jones would call Bob Dylan EVERY day, Elvis Presley had 'HUGE heart, Graceland like living at Disneyland', Elvis Presley's bodyguard on TERRIFYING motorbike ride with The King. A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. There is often talk of Elvis practising with Johnny Burnette and his brother around this time. When Billy was old enough he started working with the Memphis Mafia team. Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? However, the staff revives him, and when he regains consciousness, he tells his buddies: "I had the strangest dream .". Please share his story with us. 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. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. He didnt just go up in his room and not do anything His room up there with his office and all that was big, so. New Elvis projects will include Hound dog treats for dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021. 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. Billy Smith and cousin Elvis Presley. He was there with the rest of the Memphis Mafia when Presley was at his peak. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. September 1982: The commercial instincts of the Elvis camp seem increasingly erratic. He trusted us. he says, displaying a nasty-looking welt. The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. It still hurts that hes gone. He was rocking a white jumpsuit, naturally, and purchasing an electrical fuse. EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? Danny replied to a user who asked: Would you rather go back and visit Graceland or keep it in your memories? In response, Danny said, Ill just speak for the family because weve talked about it many, many times.. Aside from his blood relatives, his Memphis Mafia gang of male friends had free rein of the estate and home. He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions?
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