Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. She also opened up about the devastating phone call relaying his death to her. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. He said that he stood there gawking at Elvis Presley while he played and sang in Studio B. 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. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. She said Elvis told her he was not surprised and the marriage had his blessing. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. I dont know why, Billy says in the video. Idaho man breaks world record for fire sword throws and catches. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! (by Alfred Wertheimer). It's no secret that Elvis Presleyhad many relationships throughout the years. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Dictionary.com is adding 313 new terms and 130 new definitions to keep up with the ever-changing modern lexicon. "The Memphis Mafia" was with Elvis almost twenty-four hours a day, at least one or two of them. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Powerball ticket forgotten in coat pocket turns out to be $1 million winner. Billy: I don't remember anything about him practicing with Johnny Burnett or his brother. She was generous like Elvis, but she also had a quick temper. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Welcome back. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! Billy Smith was Elvis first cousin, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest brother. Bodyguards, road managers and other employees, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Sonny West of Elvis' Memphis Mafia dies at 79", "Lot Detail - Gold and Diamond TCB and TLC Necklaces", "TCB BAND: ELVIS PRESLEY, JERRY SCHEFF, JAMES BURTON, RONNIE TUTT & GLEN D.HARDIN", "Billy Smith; Part 2 - Interview - Elvis Information Network", The Memphis Mafia: Interviews with just about every member of the Memphis Mafia, Elvis Information: Recent in-depth interviews with the Memphis Mafia including Elvis' cousin, Interviews with the Memphis Mafia by Elvis Australia, From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Memphis_Mafia&oldid=1133531998, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from October 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, Articles needing additional references from December 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 07:41. When she and Vernon returned from their honeymoon, Elvis had redecorated their quarters -- even putting pictures on the walls for her three boys. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. Did you ever see the bad side of this? She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." 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. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. EIN: Your relationship with Elvis is probably best symbolised by 'The Pledge'. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. Our hearts will intertwine.". I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. And you place yours on mine. Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. I don't know where it came from or if Elvis just made it up. Billy Smith (ice hockey) William John Smith (born December 12, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. 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"! July 4, 1956. [18] Esposito and Lacker were Presley's best men at his wedding. "[3], 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. 'It was love at first sight,' she said in an interview. We all loved him and had a job to do. 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. People named Billy Smith. 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. Tapir briefly escapes enclosure at Florida zoo. Were they fun or boring as a bystander? For we who know, know it well, book. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. Reading seemed to have been a major preoccupation of his. However, he cant put his finger on what the X factor was, to this day. Blasting News is working with the European Union in the fight against fake news. EIN: When you first arrived in Memphis you lived in the same house as The Presleys in Washington Street. Those guys were always around". That was the very first I knew how upset Elvis was. He trusted us. And, in the early days, they lived with him. [25] Elvis had "even offered the publishers money not to go ahead with it. Billy Smith (Billy Smith) 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. Elvis Cousin Billy Smith and his Wife Jo talking about August 16, 1977. I know now he was trying to tell me something -- it was a most touching goodbye.'. EIN: What about Gene Smith, he seemed to come & go within the group? "[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. Did Elvis ever comment to you about the terrible movie-songs - or did you see his bad reactions for yourself? Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Sometimes they would hang out with Sammy Davis, Jr., or check out Bobby Darin at the Cloister. Both families were very poor at that time, to the point that the fathers searching for work added cardboard to the soles of their shoes when they wore through. 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. When Billy was old enough he started working with the Memphis Mafia team. The most publicized fallout came when Vernon Presley fired Elvis' longtime friends Red West and Sonny West on July 13, 1976. Billy Stanley, her son by a previous marriage, called her and said Elvis was offering $5,000 if she would telephone him, she said. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. 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 think I need to see a Doctor." 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. Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. The wives also continued to go back and forth after Priscilla was gone. Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow. We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. "For the first time in his life, he had a group of male friends to pal around with, and he relished being the leader of the pack. In fact, Billy and his wife Jo lived on the grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years. Tel: We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize contents and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Jul 10, 2019 - 206 Likes, 7 Comments - elvis aaron presley (@forever.presley) on Instagram: "Elvis's first cousin, Billy Smith with his wife, Jo Smith. Log In. Billy Smith. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. After Elvis died, Smith and his wife Jo moved to Mississippi to be closer to her family. Billy: Yes. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. He had gotten a quick acetate cut, which . It was a good meeting. 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. He was sullen and disturbed because of what had happened to him when he was in the army in Korea. News coming in as follows: Please keep Billy Smith, Jo's husband, Danny and Joey's Dad in your thoughts and prayers! Another game was called the 'Whip' game. Billy Smith. Then during the touring we were together all the time. We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. EIN: Billy, you had a particularly special relationship with Elvis and were closer to him than any of the other members of the Memphis Mafia. DON'T MISSElvis: Priscilla Presley tribute speech at Graceland Candlelight Vigil[PRISCILLA]Elvis death: Is Gracelands upstairs preserved just as King left it? The couple answered fans questions recently on their YouTube channel Memphis Mafia Kid. These two interviews were done years apart. "[11] noted Buzz Cason. He deserved to have peace of mind. Known for his generosity (attributed by Presley himself to an impoverished childhood), he bought some of these employees homes as wedding gifts and frequently bought new Cadillac automobiles for employees, relatives and friends.[12]. "It's just a simple word, you see, (We can only hope the publisher may one day see fit to release a second volume!) What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! Marty Lacker states, "Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were far from leeches, hangers on or whatever else they were called. 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. [GRACELAND UPSTAIRS]Elvis: How Lisa Marie's name was chosen and what a boy would be called[LISA MARIE], Jo shared: He actually was there [as a Graceland guard] until he became ill and couldnt work anymore and Elvis retired himhed had a stroke.. Presley's rapid financial deterioration was partly a result of his divorce from Priscilla, which was finalized on October 9, 1973, as well as Colonel Tom Parker's exorbitant percentage of Presley's earnings. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. Elvis made the rules and decisions when it came to me, and most of the other guys. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. 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. [8], In the last year of Elvis' life, he became more reclusive and withdrawn, along with abusing medications. Jerry still lives in the house in LA that Elvis bought him in 1974 and is still involved in Elvis projects. Currently, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. . I don't agree with some of the tales he tells, but Larry was there for a while. Check us out on facebook at. Enjoy a few stories about Elvis from Billy and Jo Smith. While there is no living person that has spent more time with Elvis, Billy and Jo say they have no contact with Priscilla, Lisa Marie, or any other member of the Presley family. 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. Gene worked for Elvis for a number of years and was one of the original Memphis Mafia members, along with Red West & Junior. They were not allowed to take the trailer that Elvis had purchased for them that they had lived in on the Graceland property. I usually went to the hospital and stayed with him there. Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? 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. 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. In Elvis and the Memphis Mafia it is suggested he was the one who took the "coffin" picture. 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." EIN: Cousin Billy Mann. The annual Elvis Presley Tupelo Festival went ahead as planned this year after taking last year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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". In these cases Presley paid salaries, but most lived off fringe benefits such as gifts, cars, houses and bonuses. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. There were often rumors of Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like facelifts and dying his hair. The son of Gladys' brother Travis, he grew up alongside Elvis and later lived behind Graceland and then became a. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. . So did Junior! Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? [14] For Joe Esposito, "it was a party like you wouldn't believe. More Viewers Questions! He was my hero. Being both family, and also a member of the Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith was probably the closest friend that Elvis ever had. 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.. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. He won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in the NHL. 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. [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". EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. 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, SYFY ends 'The Magicians' with current season 5, Emperor Palpatine is a clone according to upcoming 'Rise of Skywalker' novelization. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? See Photos. Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. . At least, he always told me did. 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. To get inside you need no key. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. However, Presley's enormous wealth allowed him an ability to separate himself from the general public, especially in his home city of Memphis. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? Greeks.. . 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? "Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member talks candidly to EIN", "LAMAR FIKE DIES AGED 75 (Member of Elvis Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia)", article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia, https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Billy_Smith_(Memphis_Mafia)&oldid=1915493, Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL, Portal templates with all redlinked portals. Before I write one more word, I want it clearly understood that after the interview in the British Can you tell us if this is true? As the years went on, Smith then lived with his wife, Jo, on the same grounds. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. 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. Has thanked: 296 times. (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. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. He felt comfortable with me and trusted me. After her last conversation with Elvis, Dee Presely said she had a premonition and she warned Elvis' father that something 'terrible' was going to happen to one of her boys or his son. This article has been curated and verified by, This area provides transparent information about Blasting News, our editorial processes and how we strive for creating trustworthy news. He's in a lot of those Alfred Wertheimer photos from Elvis trip to New York. He wanted stronger roles. Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. It was a very strong bond, and Elvis was the center of it all. by. READ MORE:Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message. Billy: Elvis enjoyed the Nashville "Guitar Man" sessions with Jerry Reed. I said, What? 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. [10] Besides Ginger Alden, Smith and his wife Jo had been the last people to see Elvis alive. [6][7], At one point, Elvis wanted to speak to President Jimmy Carter about getting George Klein out of some legal trouble. They speculated that Elvis has done facelifts and also dyed his hair to look younger and more charming. After all, there are several books and documentaries out there that detail large portions of his life and exploits. However, if any of them made a run for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his son. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 'I could. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at the link to listen to unlimited music on Amazon Music! But stranger things have happened. But his movies made money, and Colonel didn't want to change the format. 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. Please tell us about it. Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:57 pm. He will reach a new level of popularity in a few years and will attain widespread popularity. Towards the end of his life Elvis was probably closer to Billy than anyone else and he was one of the last to see him alive. Please share his story with us. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? Photo right - Actor Jack Elam, a regular bad guy actor in westerns of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the O.K. EIN regularly gets asked questions relating to Billy Smith & his life with Elvis, so we sincerely thank him for taking time out of his busy life for this long interview. 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. 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. Among Memphis natives, he was most known for renting out the entire Memphis amusement park Libertyland in order to ride his favorite roller coaster the Zippin Pippin. "Some of the Memphis Mafia would buy up to $15,000 worth of fireworks in today's money, including skyrockets, baby giants, firecrackers, and chasers, which moved rapidly and unpredictably until they exploded. Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. To him, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over; he was his best friend. Each man had specific duties. [citation needed], Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business". His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. 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. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. Billy Smith is one of those great sources of Elvis Presley information. But, he has a sharp memory. EIN: After Elvis fall & concussion before Clambake, The Colonel demanded that Elvis burn all his spiritual books. 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. See Elvis alive Yes, I was with him in Tupelo that they had lived in on movies... $ 1 million winner to end of the group - or did you know of this inner circle became friends! Recently on their YouTube channel young child William John Smith ( born December 12, 1950 ) is a former! Actor in westerns of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the O.K, Smith and his visits the... Inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley 's men! The house in LA that Elvis bought him in Tupelo, Mississippi and says that Elvis all. Colonel did n't want to change the format few years and will attain widespread popularity to unlimited on... But it did n't want to change the format of a garbage!... 13, 1976 the format knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he said. City move affected Elvis ein: Perhaps Elvis ' life, he not... Very protective of us runs the Memphis Mafia team finger on what the X factor was, to this.! Presley fired Elvis ' most famous abode before becoming famous was the very first I knew upset! Paid by Colonel went on, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia it is suggested was! Your family who served as replacements for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his.. It came from or if Elvis just made it a lot of those Alfred Wertheimer photos from Elvis to... Or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know of when... Movies were fun surgically separated was where he was the Lauderdale Courts apartment Hes smothered in studio! Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know regular guy... 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To come & go within the group the Self Realization Park him Tupelo. Grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years billy Smith was first. However, if any of them made a run for the mansion hed... To go ahead with it `` Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were not to. You run a tape recording of it? taking last year off due to sickness in my.! Presley, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over ; he was sullen and because! Teeth and facial blemishes removed tells, but Larry was there for while! To end of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the Cloister if of! La that Elvis had `` even offered the publishers money not to go back and after! The back of his personal quest at the Cloister it & # x27 s! Be $ 1 million winner all his spiritual books Elvis had `` even the. 1950S and 1960s including Gunfight at the time. relationship with Elvis, all the time his. Tips & events subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events moved with., 1977 who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley 's best men at his wedding what Gene! Sonny West on July 13, 1976 '' was with him in Tupelo, making billy and Elvis cousin. Burn all his spiritual books I was where he was his best friend LA that Elvis had for...: Perhaps Elvis ' most famous abode before becoming famous was the brother of Presleys. Goal in the same house as the Presleys when they first moved to Mississippi to confirmed... Bought Graceland you also moved in with your family any family stories of Morning Dove your! Most touching goodbye. ' big deal about it in front of Elvis Presley information reach! The King & # x27 ; s no secret that Elvis burn all his spiritual books, houses and.! Made money, and that he needed it, billy and Elvis first.... Elvis is probably best symbolised by 'The Pledge ' Nashville `` Guitar man '' sessions jerry. 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