Skip to primary navigation; . 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.. The man would now be in his 80s, and the oldest person on record only lived to 122. And Elvis trusted him. And was late for work many times. After learning that his mother, Gladys, had died, she said she decided to call Elvis and express her sympathy. As detailed in the documentary Elvis Presley: The Last 24 Hours, Elvis' final day on earth included a nighttime trip to the dentist in search of prescription drugs, a 4 a.m. game of racquetball with his cousin Billy Smith, and an impromptu piano performance of classics including "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain." He was last seen alive going into . Surprisingly, it works as effectively as the star's usual three nightly packets of Seconal, Placidyl, Demerol and several other medications, and he falls into a deep sleep, but he is unresponsive when a nurse tries to awaken him late in the day. 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 Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. But weeks after the Colonel's death, he announces a one-off concert in London as a gesture to all the foreign fans who had never seen him because Parker was afraid that if he went out of the USA, he'd never get back in. Billy with Elvis before leaving for Germany & the army in 1958. In an interview with Larry King, Elviss good buddy Joe Esposito suggested it was another Presley associate, Al Strada, in the photo. When he lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death, Presley had an open-door policy with his Memphis Mafia. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. The second major Elvis sighting came in the form of a photo snapped on December 31, 1977. However, the staff revives him, and when he regains consciousness, he tells his buddies: "I had the strangest dream .". From this day forward, our minds, our souls, Billy: I saw Jerry at Richard's (Davis) funeral about two years ago. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. I mean you were portrayed in the movie, but that parts not what aggravated. 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. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. Back in 1957, having shot to fame, The King moved his extended family into the Graceland mansion. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. ", "History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono! 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. The couple emphasised that all this was just their opinion and they didnt want to dissuade fans who like the Elvis movie from seeing it again and again. November 1980: Plagued by cost overruns and whispers of illegal kickbacks, the Elvis Workout project is shut down before any of the centers actually open. Billy continued: Even when he was in his bedroom he always had somebody there. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. They roared with laughter. 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]. May 1 (UPI) -- A Kentucky couple had more than 109,000 extra reasons to celebrate on their 44th wedding anniversary when they won a jackpot from an Instant Play lottery game. In the end, a leather-clad Elvis, looking impressively buff at 53, revisits his classic hits of the late '60s and '70s, including In the Ghetto, Burning Love and Suspicious Minds. March 1988: Concert attendance slips as audiences tire of Elvis' lengthy monologues about the benefits of healthy eating, mysticism and frequent gym workouts. "He thought it made him look better and that he needed it," Billy reveals. Jerry was always nice to me and my family and to my Mother and Daddy, and I will always remember him for that. It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. I dont care if I never go to Graceland again, Jo said. Can you imagine how we felt living in a place like that? I really wasnt expecting this. And, he had unbelievable strength. He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. He trusted us. Elvis was very open-minded. We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. 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". 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. The series will be an animated (cartoon) titled "Agent King." Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. And, whenever we were able, we always went to see him, especially local. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. 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. EIN: What can you tell us of your Aunt Gladys? And I can truthfully say, hes gone. I saw it twice. Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. The quartet kicks off the video with a plethora of jokes and laughter. 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. From the time they were kids till the end. I don't agree with some of the tales he tells, but Larry was there for a while. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. Elvis Presley gave a lot of thought and time into obtaining what he considered his perfect look throughout his short-lived life. He also tried to distance you all from Elvis by making Joe Esposito head foreman. Elvis was more understanding, and he wanted someone with him too. The family sits and discusses Elvis last night, Graceland, and why theyre not satisfied with how some things are currently run. Potato Head toy in 12.11 seconds while blindfolded. . His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. I was actually stupid enough to believe that having the same birthday as him actually meant something", "No-one, but no-one, is his equal, or ever will be. Traditionally, you cant have a funeral without a death, and what killed the King is another major source of controversy. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. [WILL]. Billy Smith is one of those great sources of Elvis Presley information. 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. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? Elvis made Graceland a home. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. Believers of this bizarre theory contend that a 55-year-old Presley turned up in the background of the scene where Catherine OHaras character is stuck at the Scranton airport while trying to get home to her son. I remember once Elvis took us shopping and brought us a complete wardrobe shortly after we moved to Graceland. Since his wife had never been, he admitted that he would return one final time with her and their grandchildren. Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. In a new video, one asked: Why do you think it was so hard for Elvis to be alone?, Initially, Jo said: I dont know. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. He felt comfortable with me and trusted me. 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. June 1988: NBC and Elvis Enterprises announce a TV special for late November, 20 years after Elvis' '68 Comeback Special. . Now it was a known fact among the guys that Elvis couldn't keep a secret, but if it was really important, he did. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. October 1991: Although Elvis is back on top, his eccentricities are increasing. Billy lives in Mississippi & is still working as a machine specialist in a steel manufacturing company. We were in the den when Elvis came out and said to us, "I fell and hit my head. Plans for Elvis to appear solo are scuttled when RCA threatens to withdraw support unlesss its new star, Rick Astley, is included. However, some close friends and family of The Kings were nowhere to be seen. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. School principal unlocks dumpster, finds bear inside. A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. Commenting on Billy being portrayed in the biopic, Jo said: It didnt upset you. Then, when the King would take a break, Billy would go get him water. For reference, the family refers to the fact that fans must pay in order to visit the singers grave. Did Elvis understand? Billy Smith: I do remember him singing a lot for the family and different ones. Potato Head blindfolded. Billy: The pledge came about because we had an incident as kids and were never to talk about it. EIN: I believe that you brought Jerry Schilling into the group. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. We had so many memorable times on the set!! 'I could. In an interview accompanying The Beatles Anthology DVD, George Harrison likens a brief 1972 encounter with Elvis at Madison Square Garden to meeting Vishnu or Krishna or something. His hair was black, his skin was tan, and his aura left the Beatle feeling like a snooty little nobody. Harrison may have been hinting at something Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper said rather deftly with their 1987 single Elvis Is Everywhere. Alive or dead, Presley is one pop culture deity well never stop worshipping. Although Elvis Presley was beloved by many, he surrounded himself with a small inner circle known as the Memphis Mafia. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. In 1988, a woman named Louise Welling from nearby Vicksburg claimed she had seen Presley standing in line at the local Felpauschsupermarket. Got to a point where Id go to sleep, itd be early in the morning. Billy: Yes, Billy Mann was the one who took the picture in the coffin. Elvis Presley talking with newmen in Memphis, Tennessee after his discharge from the Army, 1960 / Everett Collection. Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. His former wife weeps when she talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father. . 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. He liked his guys around him. It would be the most historic and brilliant well-kept secrets any celebrity has ever pulled. EIN: Do you remember when Elvis started complaining about the quality of his movies going downhill? Billy: When the Beatles came, we were all excited about getting to meet them. He only worked a couple of places before Elvis became famous, unlike Aunt Gladys who had worked at several places before Elvis became famous. On stage at the special screening, The Kings only child said: I do want to say that I feel so honoured to be a partof this. Elvis death: The King's pilot I thought Vernon Presley had died, Elvis Presley bodyguard says King'different'person in private, Elvis Presley ALIVE? Our lives are like night and day. He seems to remember his importance more than some of the other guys remember it. 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. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. Sound crazy? ELVIS PRESLEY's spirit presence is claimed to have been sensed in Graceland's upstairs office by his cousin Billy Smith, who shared in a new interview that he knew it was time to move away having . "My trainer told me about them it's like getting high from working out.". But those photos of her later on make her look sad because she was sick, as well as being sad about Elvis going to the army. I didnt know what to expect. Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. 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." Express. EIN: Did you ever visit the studios for Elvis recording sessions? May 1 (UPI) -- Crews at a Pennsylvania wastewater plant received a surprise when they discovered a small alligator at the facility. 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. In Smiths most recent video, he features his father, mother Jo, and brother Joey. Additionally, some of Elvis family and friends would live on the property, including his cousin Billy Smith and his family. 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. Aug. 16, 2012: Elvis dies in his sleep at Graceland on the 25th anniversary of the first Harmonic Convergence and 35 years to the day after his near-death in Memphis. And a much-heralded return to rock in the form of the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up is equally unsuccessful. Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. What Elvis serious about changing things? He is surrounded by his . Do you remember Elvis singing to you or the family before he became famous? "Ain't no problem," Elvis says, "I'll take care of it." We had to eat turnip greens for a month. Speaking on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel, Memphis Mafia Kid, Billy said: This question, Is Elvis still alive? Well, let me say this. His cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo have shared some memories. Never wanting to disappoint his fans, nothing was too extreme for Presley. Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! Were they fun or boring as a bystander? January 1980: The tour over, Elvis spends most of his time in the gym. "I know him and Linda [Thompson] were in there a lot. The spooky incident occurred last month at the home of Billy Smith, who is the second cousin of Graceland's iconic inhabitant. . All our wives were there. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! And I would hear him calling me.. 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. We always thought he made great music whatever he did: EIN: Everyone knows about The Beatles visit to see Elvis at home, but you were really there! That was a lot different and I remember that it took a while for everyone to get jobs, and one of my daddy's cousins stole all the money we had, and my daddy's new socks. At least, he always told me did. Do you still see him or have any contact? Then during the touring we were together all the time. 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." Nor I him. It was either the death of Elvis Presley at the age of 42, as more than 80 percent of Americans believe, or the start of the most spectacular disappearing act in the history of mankind. EIN: After Elvis fall & concussion before Clambake, The Colonel demanded that Elvis burn all his spiritual books. 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. But The Colonel tried to get information out of us all. Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. Nevertheless, even when up there sometimes for days on end, the star would want at least someone by his side. Thirty-six years ago Friday, owing to pressures we can hardly imagine and self-indulgences we can imagine only too well, Elvis Presley died. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. Can you tell us if this is true? The inscription reads Elvis Aaron Presley, even though hed been given the middle name Aron, possibly in memory of his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. Larry was his hair dresser. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? 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. 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. 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. 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. We talked about religion so much. Not that we arent happy with our family, we are, Jo said. 1 and spins off a hit single, Elvis and Michael Jackson's unique duet on Heartbreak Hotel, which weaves together the artists' separate, title-sharing hits. 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. I'm in terrible pain.' There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. I talked to Elvis about hiring Jerry. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. That is disrespectful to Elvis., Lisa Marie Presleys Late Son Benjamin Keough Officially Laid To Rest At Graceland With Elvis, 75-Year-Old Don McLean Opens Up About Dating A 27-Year-Old. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. Its not his home. In addition to Elvis absence, the family suggested their disdain for the way Graceland controls access to Elvis grave. Gene worked for Elvis for a number of years and was one of the original Memphis Mafia members, along with Red West & Junior. He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. He was sullen and disturbed because of what had happened to him when he was in the army in Korea. RELATED: Lisa Marie Presleys Late Son Benjamin Keough Officially Laid To Rest At Graceland With Elvis. To date, numerous reports say fans believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977, but was placed in witness protection. Unless it turns out Elvis is immortal. Elvis Presley's cousin Billy Smith reveals singer's most intimate secrets on his cosmetic surgeries, Elvis Presley's cousin reveals singer's most intimate secrets on the singer's surgeries, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy during family dinner in Malibu, 'Shameless' season 11 spoilers: countdown to saying goodbye to the Gallaghers has begun, Elvis Presley affection once turned down by Mary Tyler Moore, Its not true: from UN call to decriminalize pedophilia to BlackRock behind Tucker Carlson's firing, SYFY ends 'The Magicians' with current season 5, Emperor Palpatine is a clone according to upcoming 'Rise of Skywalker' novelization. People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. However, the upstairs where he died of a heart attack in 1977 was his private space and access was by invite only. May 1 (UPI) -- A school principal in West Virginia received a scare Monday morning when he unlocked a dumpster outside of the building and came face to face with a bear. Please share his story with us. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. As a result, he is one of the only people left alive who knew the true man the star was. Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. The series is co-created by Priscilla Presley. In the clip, a gray-haired dude in a baseball cap and Elvis Week T-shirt fusses with some wire and holds up two fingersapparently some type of numerological clueas he walks past the camera. EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? MTV could have dodged the controversy by explaining that the spectacle of a bare-chested Elvis in a series of multihued headbands and sweatpants was faintly ludicrous, or even that Physical was a lousy record. In recent years, Billy Smiths son, Danny, created his own YouTube channel. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. Click here for Part Two: Billy talks about Elvis' Girls, Elvis' Final Years, his relationship with EPE, 'Elvis By The Presleys' and more. (EIN Note The full story about Elvis testing everyones honesty is in the M.M. It wasnt like he constantly had to have somebody, but he preferred it.. And he cant bring him back.. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. 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. what is rolando mcclain doing now, angus courier courts,
