I don't agree with some of the tales he tells, but Larry was there for a while. Billy Smith is one of those great sources of Elvis Presley information. Click on the topic that interests you to follow it. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Eight years younger than The King, Billy grew up with his own family in a home in. What was his relationship like with Elvis? He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. Those guys were always around". Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. Uncle Vernon and Daddy looked for jobs and they even wore out the soles of their shoes. The King died in 1977. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. Their requests to speak directly to Elvis about their employment termination and the nominal severance pay were not granted. "It's just a simple word, you see, It comprises live recordings from shows given by Presley in Las Vegas through every decade of his career. Elam always looked like he was about to do something really painful to you. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). He always had a love for music even at very young age. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Dictionary.com is adding 313 new terms and 130 new definitions to keep up with the ever-changing modern lexicon. . To date, numerous reports say fans believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977, but was placed in witness protection. Elvis uncle, who got on well with people, would crowd control the fans and made sure they kept off the neighbours lawns. Elvis Aaron Presley : Revelations from the Memphis Mafia, The Blue Correspondence, Everton Season 1889 - 1890, The Blue Correspondence, Everton Season 1888-89. Answer (1 of 4): Jerry Schilling and his cousin Billy Smith. Billy: Aunt Gladys was a good person. Billy with Elvis before leaving for Germany & the army in 1958. Red and Sonny West were Elvis' bodyguards (although Red West also had a talent for writing songs, including some recorded by Elvis such as "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" and then "Separate Ways"). He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. 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. Elvis and Gene even worked together at Precision Tool. Find your friends on Facebook. [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". 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. So, he watched from a distance. 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. When Elvis bought Graceland Billys family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. 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. See if your friends have read any of Billy Smith's books. After some administrative organization, when Carter called Graceland, he asked for Billy Smith as a code that it would be the president calling for Elvis and the two subsequently had a discussion. "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. She said Elvis told her he was not surprised and the marriage had his blessing. Express. People named Billy Smith. So he decided to have it trimmed down and thats what they didwhich made him lookgod! Can you confirm the story? Billy shared: Elvis had a lot of confidence in him, so kept him on. What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! EIN: Is it true that in 1977 Elvis asked you to become Chief foreman and that he considered getting rid of The Colonel once again and even Joe Esposito? A lightning bolt flashed across the sky in front of them, and Elvis took inspiration from it. More info. In 1957, The King bought Graceland and moved his family onto the gated property where Travis was the first guard. we were family. Professional handlers and celebrity security experts had not yet evolved. EIN: Can you tell us a little about Junior Smith your other cousin? He seems to remember his importance more than some of the other guys remember it. Greeks.. . [citation needed], When Parker informed Elvis that the Wests were writing a "tell-all book" about Elvis, which included the disclosure of Elvis' addiction to prescribed pain medications, he was furious as well as "hurt". So down to earth. All our wives were there. 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. In Elvis and the Memphis Mafia it is suggested he was the one who took the "coffin" picture. Billy Smith was Elvis first cousin, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest brother. Billy: He did practice, but it was at the studio. EIN: Your relationship with Elvis is probably best symbolised by 'The Pledge'. [22] According to Presley's cousin Billy Smith, Elvis got into bed with Smith and his wife Jo "many times at Graceland when we would spend the night there in Lisa's room, or on tour in the hotel, and at the trailer on the property at Graceland. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. During the June 9 to June 13 event, Presleys cousin Billy Smith and The Kings former girlfriend Linda Thompson were in attendance. Sometimes Tracy would stay down there at the gate with Daddy and pretend he was a gate guard. [19] Each Christmas all Presley employees received bonus checks. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. However, the best sources for information about Elvis Presley are the people who knew him while he was alive. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Zoo Miami in Florida confirmed a Malayan tapir briefly escaped from its enclosure Tuesday before being safely contained about an hour later. 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.. Welcome back. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. Over the years, the number of members grew and changed, but for the most part there was a core group who spent much time with Presley. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. They roared with laughter. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? EIN: Few fans know the story of your uncle, Tracy Smith. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. Moreover, when approached by Vanity Fair, several Elvis experts attested to its seeming. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He did lookout for Elvis' interest and his own. He would watch The Student Prince which was set in Heidelberg, over and over again. We had so many memorable times on the set!! This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. Log In. 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. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. Gene worked for Elvis for a number of years and was one of the original Memphis Mafia members, along with Red West & Junior. "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. Billy Smith tells all on rumors about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley / Keystone/Stringer He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. Billy Smith. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. Elvis preferred men around him who were loyal, trustworthy and deferential. Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. I realized I had done the impossible -- called up Elvis. Billy: I don't remember anything about him practicing with Johnny Burnett or his brother. Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. While Elvis uncle would drive around Graceland in a three-wheeled golf cart, which had to be charged up every six hours. Alanna Nash, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. He said it would teach him a lesson. Elvis Presleys Cousin Says He Has No Contact With Priscilla, Lisa Marie: Heres Why, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8, Was Elvis at Jo and Billys Wedding? Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:57 pm. But he knew it from memory, and we went over it several times so I could memorize it. He's dated a lot of beautiful women such as Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden and, of course, Priscilla Presley. People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. Can you clarify what happened and how did you feel about this happening being real family? That was in 1960. She was always close to her family, but Elvis was her heart. And it was in 1967 that Elvis suggested they make a personal pledge between the two of them. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. 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. 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 the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. Billy is" (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. See Photos. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. That's the same white house that Elvis and I tore down with the bulldozer to make more room to ride the horses. Uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best Junior Smith your other cousin to last from to! A coincidence as back in 1957, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest.! Would billy smith, elvis wiki control the fans and made sure they kept off the neighbours lawns girlfriend Linda Thompson in... 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