I fell in head first. Is it going to be crazy? In my life, its been one disappointment after the other in terms of people portraying my father in various films or attempts tobless their heartsbut let me just tell you something. 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 . Its not his home. In addition to Elvis absence, the family suggested their disdain for the way Graceland controls access to Elvis grave. 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. Some closer than others, but still we stood up for each other no matter what. His cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo have shared some memories. 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. 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. Hes left the realm of popular entertainers and joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and to some, Jesus. Elvis: Cousin Billy Smith says Priscilla and family 'have no contact' . May 1 (UPI) -- A German man was awarded an unusual world record when he assembled a Mr. He always told me that he loved me. Please keep Billy Smith in your thoughts and prayers. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Never wanting to disappoint his fans, nothing was too extreme for Presley. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. 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. I remember him as a fun-loving guy and he hung around a lot with Elvis until Elvis went into the army. 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]. Each video honors The Kings legacy, discussing fond memories and a conspiracy or two. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. From the time they were kids till the end. Billy and his wife Jo are still alive and have a YouTube channel called "Elvis Fans Matter" where they talk about Elvis and give some pretty interesting insight into the life of The King. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. January 1995: Elvis calls a news conference to announce his retirement from touring. He said in the clip that he felt him when he stayed upstairs in the house. By accepting "all cookies", including profiling cookies, in addition to supporting our free offer, you will receive advertisements in line with your interests. 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. EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. He was Junior's brother. The less he had to think about that better he felt. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. In a three-part review of the Elvis movie on their YouTube channel Elvis Fans Matter, the couple did praise Butlers performance but felt the film which isnowavailable to rent or buy on streaming betrayed the music icon on a number of levels. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. How did it come about? Elvis was always my hero. He was rocking a white jumpsuit, naturally, and purchasing an electrical fuse. Experts at Kodak verified that nothing had been doctored, so it seems someone was peering out the window. She was in Germany where Elvis was stationed in the Army. blue eyes and lighter skin. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. 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." Billy Smith - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki But toxicologists found more than 10 drugs in Presleys system, fueling speculation that polypharmacy played a role in his death. But his movies made money, and Colonel didn't want to change the format. We talked about religion so much. "I turn 60 this month. Elvis says, "If you've got a little faith, you can stop the rain.". Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. Billy: Well it's true that my father, Travis, went to the penitentiary with Vernon, but Vernon got out of prison a few months before my father because of good behavior. 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. That means we've got maybe another 40 years of stories about the King chilling in Argentina or sipping coffee at Tim Hortons or doing whatever you do as an elderly man whos been in hiding since the Carter Administration. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Even towards the end of his short 42 years when he became increasingly isolated, Billy would be spending hours upstairs with the singer in his bedroom, listening to him as he opened up on his more vulnerable side. As far as I know, that didn't happen. And his hairline looked like a hairpiece or something was glued on. Smith was also troubled by the smoothness of Presleys typically calloused hands and the sweat on his brow. Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? Billy Stanley, her son by a previous marriage, called her and said Elvis was offering $5,000 if she would telephone him, she said. 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. Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. I think I need to see a Doctor." That's the reason I've never remarried. It was a very strong bond, and Elvis was the center of it all. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Elvis spoke up and said, "If you guys aren't going to say anything, I'm going to bed." Click here for Part Two: Billy talks about Elvis' Girls, Elvis' Final Years, his relationship with EPE, 'Elvis By The Presleys' and more. What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. "It's just a simple word, you see, 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. The Kalamazoo hullabaloo spawned a rash of late-80s Elvis sightings, many of which involved the King doing un-regal things, like pumping gas or buying junk food. However, some close friends and family of The Kings were nowhere to be seen. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? Additionally, many of them are more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public. 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 died a few years ago. Elvis Presley ALIVE? 'I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger' Is it true that your Aunt Gladys had the same temper? Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. Curiously, director Chris Columbus went into Home Alone having just made Heartbreak Hotel, a 1988 flop about some kids who try to kidnap Elvis. Nevertheless, even when up there sometimes for days on end, the star would want at least someone by his side. Wellings daughter later spied him scarfing Whoppers at Burger King. When it was good, it was very good, and when it was bad, it was awful. Kolb came forward with an original color version of the image proving that it was himnot Elvisin the shot, but thats hardly laid the matter to rest. Please share his story with us. Before Elvis Presley passed away on August 16, 1977, he spent his last night and early morning with his cousin Billy Smith.. Billy is arguably one of the last people ever to have a conversation with Elvis. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! 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. Nor I him. I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger The King's cousin speaksG, Elvis ALIVE? This story came out, like I said it was supposed to be kind of a joke, but the English paper picked it up and they wrote it as a factual story. I realized I had done the impossible -- called up Elvis. I know now he was trying to tell me something -- it was a most touching goodbye.'. As always lately, Elvis can't get to sleep, so the doctor prescribes sleep medication. Also in attendance was Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, who appears at lots of Elvis events with Priscilla. When Presley was rushed to the hospital, Billy Smith and his wife were the first to know. (by Alfred Wertheimer). So have issues concerning official paperwork. Elvis Presley: Why the Kings Cousins, Who Lived With Him, No Longer Visit Graceland. He made it a good time. We all loved him and had a job to do. It hurts. After all, there are several books and documentaries out there that detail large portions of his life and exploits. 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"! Can you confirm the story? The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. 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. He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. THE DEATH ITSELF. The King had packed on a few pounds in his later years, but theres no way he was pushing a half-ton. "Elvis is alive theories are as varied as they are plentiful, and theyve been circulating since just after his death. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. He was talking about how scattered the family was. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! But, he has a sharp memory. After all, Smith is the Kings cousin. Elvis Presley talking with newmen in Memphis, Tennessee after his discharge from the Army, 1960 / Everett Collection. 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. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). Elvis and Gene even worked together at Precision Tool. That broke the ice, and after that, they talked for hours. EIN: I believe that you brought Jerry Schilling into the group. He'll do it for a million dollars in cash." Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. EIN: And what of Vernon? The Colonel, inspired, announces plans for a nationwide chain of Elvis Workout Centers. Elvis was very open-minded. Elvis cousin Billy Smith, the last surviving original Memphis Mafia member, knew The King before he was famous and was with him in the Graceland upstairs bathroom just hours before the star died there of a heart attack on August 16, 1977. November 1977: In an exclusive interview with People, Elvis confesses that he became a little too dependent on "the pills" but says he's now drug-free and feeling better than ever. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. We were like brothers. We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. RCA suggests working with Jim Steinman of Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler fame. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. March 1988: Concert attendance slips as audiences tire of Elvis' lengthy monologues about the benefits of healthy eating, mysticism and frequent gym workouts. I didnt know what to expect. Elvis Presley's Cousin Remembers Shocking Sight From - Outsider Setting the record straight, Billy added: So, heres the truth: Elvis died, August 16, 1977 one of the hardest days of my life. It still hurts that hes gone. I dont care if I never go to Graceland again, Jo said. Then during the touring we were together all the time. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. When he would get in one of those moods that he wasmelancholy and he would talk to Billy. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. Our hearts will intertwine.". Back in June, Baz Luhrmanns Elvis movie starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks had a premiere in Memphis, Tennessee at Elvis Presleys home of Graceland.
Watercrest Parkland Builder,
Kpop Idols With Chae In Their Name,
Nadia Coppolino Parents,
Johnston County Mugshots Last 7 Days,
Articles B
billy smith, elvis alive