Tag Archives: Elvis Presley

September 11, 2015 · 10:07 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 61 – Elvis the Lonely

It’s difficult to understand why, but in spite of Elvis’ fame and the hordes of people who were almost always around him, he was actually very lonely. I think maybe that’s one of the reasons he surrounded himself with so many people, to fight that loneliness. I remember reading this story a while back, from a member of his entourage although I don’t recall which one, (this is the way the story was relayed):

“Elvis had been ill with a cold and he was in the music room playing gospel songs on the piano. I walked into the room and said, ‘How are you feeling, Elvis?’

‘Alone,” said the king.’

Many people who knew him have told similar stories. Longtime girlfriend Linda Thompson said Elvis told her that he was intensely lonely on the inside.

From friend, hairdresser and confidante, Larry Geller (taken from this website: http://elvispresleybiography.net/index.html)

“Elvis sat in silence for a moment with his eyes fixed on the ground, then looked up at me. ‘No one knows, Larry. No one knows, an’ it might surprise you just how God-awful lonely I get, how empty my life feels sometimes.'”

When I first heard Elvis sing ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ back in 1973 during the Aloha from Hawaii concert, and he began with, “I’d like to sing a song that’s probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard” it had a huge impact on me. He’d done Don’t Cry Daddy, In the Ghetto, Long Black Limousine, Mama Liked the Roses, and no doubt heard countless sad songs in his life, yet a song about loneliness was ‘probably one of the saddest’ to him.

Watch the clip and listen to the haunting sadness in his voice. 😦 (Pay special attention to what he does at around :46 seconds. I must apologize in advance for the sexiness he throws in there. The man couldn’t do anything, even be lonely and sad, without also being extremely hot and sexy 🙂 )

Here, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry is sung by Hank Williams, Sr, who wrote it (and was one of the saddest men I’ve ever heard of.) This song was my dad’s favorite, so it makes me a little sad to listen to it, but it’s sort of a good kind of sad, because it reminds me of my daddy. 🙂

Two legends, two men who had so much talent and such a bright future, but were extremely lonely souls who died too young.

I’ve been alone a lot in my life. I live alone, and I spend a great deal of time by myself. But, I can honestly say, I never feel ‘lonely.’ There is a huge difference between being alone and loneliness. So sad that someone like Elvis had to experience it so intensely.

I have to wonder if Elvis feeling lonesome had something to do with his stillborn twin, Jesse Garon. Elvis always felt a part of him was missing, and he wondered what his purpose in life was, why he lived when his brother didn’t, and why fame came to him of all people. Most likely, it also stemmed from losing his mother, at a fairly young age, just when he was making it big.

What do you think? Any ideas about what contributed to his loneliness?

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EOLS Charity

Elvis was known for his giving heart and charitable work during his lifetime. Lisa Marie and Elvis Presley Enterprises have continued that tradition with their involvement in various charities. In 1984, The Elvis Charitable Foundation was formed. The EPCF created a scholarship fund for students majoring in the arts. The charity also contributes to one of Elvis’ favorite charities, Goodwill Homes, a Memphis facility that provides counseling and services for abused children and their families. The EPCF also assists numerous other charities, especially focusing on arts, education and children’s programs.

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

On Elvis’ birthday this year, I released a Vintage Romance short story set in 1957, and of course, my heroine is an Elvis fan. 🙂 As a tribute to Elvis’ generosity, and in order to assist with this worthy cause, 10% of my proceeds for End of Lonely Street will go to the EPCF.

All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.

Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Tagged as Aloha From Hawaii, Are you Lonesome Tonight Laughing Version, Beale Street, Ebook, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, Hank Williams Sr., I'm so Lonesome I could Cry, In the Ghetto, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Suspicious Minds, Vintage Historical Romance, Wild Rose Press

September 4, 2015 · 11:16 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 60 – The Stories Behind the Songs

Listening to Sirius XM Elvis radio, I am privy to all kinds of heretofore unknown tidbits, many times, straight from the mouths of those who were there. I’ve heard a lot of interesting facts about songs Elvis performed, and I’d like to share some of those with you…

In the Ghetto (Written by Mac Davis, recorded by Elvis in 1969)

This was a huge hit for Elvis. Elvis added the last line himself, where he repeats: “And his momma cries”

Mac Davis on how the song came to be:

“I grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and it was a ghetto in every since of the word, but we didn’t use that word back then. I was trying to come up with a song called ‘The Vicious Circle,’ how a child is born, he has no father, and the same thing happens. The word ‘Ghetto’ became popular in the late ’60s to describe the poor parts of town. A friend of mine, Freddy Weller, who used to play guitar for Paul Revere And The Raiders, showed me lick on the guitar one day. I went home and fiddled around with it, I wrote the song and called him up at 4 in the morning and sang it to him. He called me a dirty name and hung up on me. He knew I’d written a hit with his lick, but that’s the way it goes.”

Don’t Cry Daddy (Written by Mac Davis, recorded by Elvis in 1969)

Again, in Mac’s own words…

“At the time I was going through a divorce. I had my son, Scotty, for the weekend and was about to take him home. I had some time to kill, and I flipped on the five o’clock news. Scotty was about five or six years old. It just happened to be the broadcast where they were showing some film of the massacre in Vietnam. It was a very famous horrific incident where some of our guys shot to death some women and children villagers. They were showing some scenes of the bodies, and apparently I started crying and didn’t even realize it. The next thing I know Scotty was patting my back and trying to comfort a grown man going, “Don’t cry daddy.” That’s where the inspiration came from for “Don’t Cry Daddy.” My songwriter’s brain made it totally different. By the time I got Scotty home to his mother’s…on the way back to my house I had the chorus written.”

This song was recorded in 1997 as a duet with Lisa Marie, with Elvis’ voice dubbed in.

One Night (Written by Dave Bartholomew and Earl King, recorded by Elvis in 1957)

Elvis first recorded the original version in January, 1957: One Night of Sin. His manager and record company felt the lyrics were too suggestive and risque, so the lyrics were changed (some say by Elvis himself) and the song became and was re-recorded as “One Night With You,” a mega hit for Elvis. Here is the original version:

All Shook Up (Written by Otis Blackwell, recorded by Elvis in 1957)

According to songwriter Otis Blackwell, he was trying to come up with a follow-up song to “Don’t Be Cruel.” He used to joke that he could write a pop song from any phrase or theme. In the autumn of 1956, one Blackwell’s bosses at his publishing offices dropped an unopened bottle of Pepsi on the ground. When he removed the cap, the soda exploded all over his white shirt. In frustration, Blackwell’s boss slammed the half-emptied Pepsi bottle on Blackwell’s desk. “There,” he said, tersely. “Write a song about that.” Blackwell studied the bottle closely for about a couple of seconds before finally shaking it again. Legend has it, he wrote the lyrics to “All Shook Up” before the bubbles had completely settled back into the beverage.

Softly as I leave you (Composed in Italian by Giorgio Calabrese and Tony De Vita. English songwriter Hal Shaper added English lyrics to it in 1961. This song wasn’t actually recorded by Elvis, but was only done in concerts.)

Elvis told a story about the song when he performed it in Vegas. Elvis said that he’d heard the story from some people in Florida. It was based on a man, who was dying. His wife was sitting by his bedside. As she began to doze off, he felt himself beginning to die and he wrote the words to the song on a notepad. Supposedly, Elvis insiders claim that this explanation was just an example of his flair for storytelling, so it likely isn’t accurate. If that’s so, then it just goes to show Elvis had a creative imagination. No matter whether it’s true or not, I think it’s pretty awesome. Side note: Elvis doesn’t actually sing this song; he speaks the words while his backing tenor Sherrill Nielsen sings it.

Heartbreak Hotel: (Written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, recorded by Elvis in 1956)

I’m sure you’ve all heard this story, I think I’ve told it on my blog before, but it’s highly interesting, to me, so I’m sharing again. The below is from the article found at this link: http://performingsongwriter.com/heartbreak-hotel/

A suicide note was the unlikely inspiration behind the song that became Elvis’ first No. 1 hit and million-selling single.

Steel guitarist and session musician Tommy Durden read a newspaper article about a man who had killed himself, leaving behind a piece of paper with the haunting words: “I walk a lonely street.”

Durden brought the article to his friend and cowriter Mae Boren Axton. A 41-year-old high school English teacher who moonlighted as a journalist and a songwriter, Axton had notched a few hits in the early ’50s with artists such as Perry Como and Ernest Tubb. In late 1955, she took a part-time position as a public relations secretary for Elvis’ manger, Colonel Tom Parker. When Mae first met Elvis, she felt he had everything he needed to become a star except a hit song. “You need a million-seller and I’m going to write it for you,” she promised.

As Axton and Durden discussed how they could turn the newspaper article into a song, Axton suggested that there be a “heartbreak hotel” at the end of the lonely street. With that flash of inspiration, the pair was off and running. Painting a picture of a place where “broken-hearted lovers cry away their gloom” and “the desk clerk’s dressed in black,” they managed to convey in very few words a mood that was both romantically charged and funereal.

Side note: Elvis purchased his first home, the one on Audubon Drive, with the money he made from Heartbreak Hotel.

Are You Lonesome Tonight: (Written by y Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926, recorded by Elvis in 1960)

I remember, right after Elvis passed away, this was probably the hardest song to listen to. The lyrics, ‘If you won’t come back to me, then they can bring the curtain down’ made my sisters and I sob uncontrollably.

Elvis was reluctant to record this song, because he was afraid he couldn’t do it justice. His manager, Tom Parker, convinced him to do so, because it was his wife’s favorite song. (And, you guessed it, huge hit!) Supposedly, Elvis had the studio lights completely turned off while recording the song. As he finished, he bumped into a chair, knocking it over, and the sound can be heard if you listen to the record on headphones.

Side note: The spoken part is loosely based on a speech by Jacques in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Act II Scene VII:

All the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.

A version of Elvis performing the song on stage and getting so tickled he can’t finish the song, aptly named, The Laughing Version, is extremely popular with fans. It’s adorable…take a listen:

I hope you’ll actually take the time to listen to these videos, they are awesome, amazing, fantastic. (And I’m not just saying that because I’m an obsessive Elvis fan, honest I’m not ;))

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Tagged as Are you Lonesome Tonight Laughing Version, Beale Street, Ebook, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, In the Ghetto, Mac Davis, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Suspicious Minds, Vintage Historical Romance, Wild Rose Press

August 28, 2015 · 9:44 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 59 – Why We Love Elvis

Well, the title might be a little misleading and/or redundant. The whole concept of my blogging each Friday about Elvis has to do with why I love him, but I wanted to share a post my sister and Elvis buddy, Ruth Robertson Zimmerman posted to Facebook on the anniversary of Elvis’ death. I believe she sums it up pretty well…

I just have to share what is on my heart & mind today….
I can’t believe I was 13 when I lost Elvis & that it’s been 38 years.
I know how a lot of people think of him..talking about him eating cheeseburgers (don’t we all love them?) or him being a druggie (he took prescription drugs & never had an iv put in his arm so he could be given anesthesia type drugs) or about him dying on the toilet (he didn’t…they found him on the floor) but that just means you don’t see Elvis through my eyes for who he truly was!
Elvis is my comforter…when life has made me so sad nothing else will do.
Elvis is my entertainment…no song, no movie, no documentary will ever be better in my life. (From Alicia – PLEASE watch this…wow, it’s spectacular…)

Elvis is goodness thru & thru…when I thought the entertainment world had gone to Hell in a handbasket, he proved different.

Elvis is love…I have never & will never love another mortal human that I have never met more than I love him.
Elvis is family…not a part of MY family but he was/is such a commonality with me & my close sisters.
Elvis is gorgeous…I have never looked at a picture on anything or anywhere that trips my trigger like he does.

Elvis is memories…some of the best I have. Especially the 3 concerts I got to go to with my sisters…and getting to finally go to Memphis with my sister Alicia!
Elvis is dedication…he was so dedicated to his fans…it killed him. I was one of them…does that make me guilty?? I sure feel that way sometimes.
Elvis is Godly…no matter how famous, rich, or adored he was…he never ever forsook his upbringing. You can guarantee every concert he performed, there would be a gospel song or 2 included.
Elvis is respect…I loved the way he loved his momma! I have one I feel the same way about!
Elvis is laughter…I have cracked up so many people over the way I adore him! Imagine the fun I have trying to explain it!
and finally….
Elvis is heartbreak…I will always believe his life changed who I was…I know his death has. It’s a hurt I feel quite often. I cry sometimes…still!
But especially today…August 16th…as I mourn the 1st love I lost!

I have to agree with Ruth (no surprise there, right? :)). Even now, while I’m still sad over his death, listening to Elvis or watching one of his movies makes me happy. I am especially grateful to Elvis Radio on Sirius, because not only can I listen to him 24/7 in my car (well, in actuality, since I own almost every song he’s ever recorded, other than the rate, outtake songs, I could listen to Elvis CD’s 24/7), but I also appreciate the interviews with people who knew him, the little details we get to learn about him that we never knew. And, I love that so many of today’s and past entertainers do promo plugs on the station, I’ve heard Paul McCartney, Michael Buble, George Jones, and many others plug Elvis radio. So cool!

I’m very grateful to have grown up with sisters who loved Elvis, a mother who loved him, and a father who understood. 🙂

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Click Here for Nook

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Tagged as Beale Street, Ebook, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Graceland, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Suspicious Minds, Vintage Historical Romance, Wild Rose Press

August 21, 2015 · 12:07 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 58 – The Movies 17-19 (1965) – Girl Happy, Harum Scarum, Tickle Me

Girl Happy:

Love this movie! I adore Shelley Fabares, who played in a total of three Elvis movies. She was so gorgeous, but I was not fond of her hairdo. 🙂 This one had good music and I love the story line.

About: Elvis, Rusty Wells, has a band and they want to head to Fort Lauderdale for Spring Break, but the guy they are working for in Chicago, Frank, has booked them for more shows there. Elvis learns that Frank has a daughter who is going to Fort Lauderdale, and he’s worried about her. So, Elvis tricks him into hiring his band to keep an eye on her. Of course, Elvis falls for her, then she learns that he was hired to be with her. I know it might be cheesy, but I love the trope where the girl finds out guy was with her because of a bet, or like this one, because he was paid to be. Then, he has to prove he really loves her, in spite of the reason he was with her in the first place.

Side notes:

The song “The Meanest Girl in Town” was one of the only songs not composed for this movie. It had been written for Bill Haley and the Comets and recorded by then in 1964 under the title “Yeah She’s Evil”

When Rusty is backing the boat trailer up to deliver Valerie (and Romano) to the motel, the frames are segmented resulting in a jumpy image. This is because Rusty is actually driving forward and the film has been reversed.

Favorite song: Puppet on a String or Cross My Heart, Hope to Die

Favorite scene: I loved many of the scenes. There were some very cute lines, such as, when Elvis is trying to seduce Mary Ann Mobley, and he takes his phone off the hook. His dorky neighbor brings his phone to the door and says, “You’ve got a call. Your line isn’t working.”
Elvis says, “It hasn’t had a chance.”

I love that moment when Elvis’ feelings for Shelley Fabares changed. He’d been pursuing another girl, but when he finally notices her, you can it on his face, hear it in his tone. This video is just after that ‘moment’ but still, it’s cute…

Ha, and Elvis wore a dress to escape from jail. Somehow, he still looked masculine and sexy.

Harum Scarum

I think I spoke too soon here while back when I said Kissin Cousins might be my least favorite Elvis movies. This one is neck and neck. It was not great, although, as usual, I’ll suffer through about anything to look at Elvis.  And, it holds a special place in my heart because it is the movie that my sister, Ruth, remembers me showing her when we were probably 5 and 7, or maybe 4 and 6, and saying, “Look at that guy, isn’t he cute?” or something like that, and we became obsessive Elvis fans from then on. I also love that Mary Ann Mobley (she passed away last December from breast cancer) was in it. She was also in Girl Happy, although she wasn’t his leading lady. She adored Elvis and had nothing but good things to say about him, about how kind and gracious he was. One of her quotes:
‘I’ll forever be indebted to Elvis’, Mobley said.We’d sit around and talk, and we really did have a unique friendship. He said, ‘Ma’am, some day I’m gonna have a party that I can invite you to’. Whenever he had to change his phone number, somebody would call and say, ‘Ma’am, we got a new number at the house, and Elvis wanted you to have it in case you ever need him’.

About: Elvis plays Johnny Tyrone, an American actor who is promoting his latest film in the Middle East. He is abducted by a group who wants him to assassinate a King. Elvis meets a girl he thinks is a slave girl, but it turns out, she’s the daughter of the King he’s expected to murder.

Side Notes: Colonel Parker disliked the script and suggested they add a talking camel so people would think it was a comedy.
Elvis liked the costumes so much, he wore them at home as well.
The director, Gene Nelson, also directed Kissin Cousins…hmmm…two of my least favorite Elvis movies.

Favorite Song: So Close, Yet So Far, From Paradise

Favorite Scene: I don’t know if I had a favorite scene, but I always love seeing Elvis interact with kids, and there’s a cute little girl he does a dance with. He had quite a few fight scenes, which I always enjoy. I also liked a few of his lines, such as this one:

Johnny Tyronne (Elvis): [Referring to the children that Sinan threatens to kill if Johnny does not assassinate the King] How can I be sure they won’t be harmed?
Aishah: Assassinate King Toranshah and you have Sinan’s promise that no harm will come to them. In a thousand years no leader of the assassins has ever violated a promise.
Johnny Tyronne: Well, it’s nice to know you’re doing business with such a reputable firm.

Tickle Me:

Definitely one of my favorites. I LOVED every song from the movie, and I love that there is a segment in a ‘haunted house.’ My son, Presley, was crazy this movie when he was little, especially the ‘scary’ parts. And, Elvis’ co-star, Jocelyn Lane, was gorgeous.

About: Elvis plays Lonnie Beale, a rodeo rider who ends up working on a dude ranch while waiting for rodeo season to start. He falls for one of the staff members, Pam, who is looking for her grandfather’s treasure. Some bad guys are trying to kidnap Pam in order to get to the treasure, but Elvis keeps showing up to save the day (although, Pam tries to help him by attacking the guys he’s fighting, but keeps hitting Elvis instead). Pam is falling for him too, but when she catches him kissing the (female) boss, she is furious. Elvis goes on the rodeo circuit but can’t get his mind off Pam. He goes back to ‘tell her off’ and ends up following her to a ghost town where they run into some ‘spooky’ characters and end up finding the gold, and declaring their love. 🙂

Side Notes: My first ever romance (I wrote at age 11) was a story called ‘Just Pretend,’ (from an Elvis song) and my hero looked just like Elvis, and his name was Lonnie Beale, from this movie, of course. 🙂

In the first Elvis fight scene, the guy he’s fighting is Red West, Elvis’ friend he met in school and bodyguard.

This is the only movie where no original songs were written, but they all came from 1960-1963 recordings.

Favorite Song: Soooo many. But, maybe my favorite is probably Feels So Right. I also loved Dirty Feeling, Such an Easy Question, Put the Blame on Me, Slowly, but Surely, I’m Yours
(see, I told you I loved a lot of them…)

Favorite Scenes: Again, quite a few…

When Elvis was on the rodeo circuit and he couldn’t get his mind off Pam, so he kept getting thrown. He looked so sexy thrown in the dirt, wearing cowboy clothes and leather gloves, looking angry. 🙂

The scene where Elvis is kissing his boss and he says, “I’ve just never kissed my boss before,” then he looks at the camera and gives a little shrug, and kisses her again.

Many favorite scenes at the haunted house: When he’s caught in a downpour, and he just looks great wet…

When he and Pam are arguing and he’s trying to get her to come in out of the rain and she won’t, and he gives this sexy smirk and calls her dumb dumb.

There’s this thing Elvis does, sort of like a clearing his throat, sucking in a breath thing, when he’s taken aback, that I can’t really describe, but it’s adorable, and he’s done it in several movies. He does it after finding an old man rocking in a closet in this movie, so that’s one of my fave moments.

Have you seen these movies? What did you think?

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EOLS Charity

Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?

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Click Here for Nook

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Tagged as 99 Cents, Alicia Dean, Amazon, Beale Street, Elvis fan, Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, End of Lonely Street, EPCF, Girl Happy, Graceland, Harum Scarum, Kindle, Memphis, Rock and Roll, Sirius XM Elvis Radio, Tickle Me, Vintage Historical Romance, Wild Rose Press

August 14, 2015 · 9:59 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 57 – The Day that Shook the World

I don’t like to talk, or blog, about Elvis’ death, but of course, with the anniversary approaching, I felt I must. Sunday will mark 38 years since he passed, and it goes without saying that his legacy remains in full force.

Even though I’m a huge Elvis fan, it has always amazed me at how people, even those who aren’t big fans, remember the exact moment they heard of his death. I would venture to guess, even though it’s much more recent, only die hard Michael Jackson fans recall the moment they heard about his death, same for John Lennon, or any other number of entertainment icons. Elvis, like him or not, is in a class all by himself.

Side note: Today is the anniversary of Elvis’ mother’s death, August 14, 1958. I’m sure everyone knows how close Elvis was to his mother. He grieved for her the rest of his life. After he passed, there were stories circlulating about how Elvis died at the exact same age as his mother, but she was actually 46, and he was 42.

Before we get into the sadness of recalling the day we heard the news, I’d like to share a song that is one of my favorites, but you don’t really hear much about it. His voice in this song is bluesy and beautiful and emotional. I swear, you can feel what he’s singing all the way to your soul. And, as a bonus, the pictures are gorgeous. 🙂

I posted on Facebook and asked people to tell about learning of Elvis’ death. I’ve shared some below, but first, even though I’ve told it before, I’ll share mine…

I was 16 and working at A&W drive-in. The boys I worked with always gave me a hard time about Elvis. Rob, one of the car hops was off that day, but he came into the store and he saw me and, quite cheerfully, said, “Hey, Elvis died.” Thinking he was joking, I said, “Haha, shut up, Rob.” He said, “No, really he died. I’m not kidding.” About that time, my manager, Harold, came out of the office with this baffled look on his face. (I later learned that Mom told him that I would need to leave once I heard, and he said he didn’t think that would be necessary, and she said, “Oh, trust me, it will definitely be necessary.” Once he saw my reaction, he knew she was right.) He said, “Your mom called and said you need to go home.” My insides froze. I looked back at Rob and I must have had a horrified expression on my face, because his expression suddenly turned serious, and more quietly and with less enthusiasm, he said, “He really did die.” I looked out the window and my sister, Janis, had pulled into the parking lot. She was crying. And then, I knew. The bottom dropped out of my world. My sisters and I grieved for weeks. Looking back, my parents were very understanding. They let us hang posters on the outside of our house and yellow ribbons around the porch columns. Although, after a month or so of us carrying on, my dad said we needed to snap out of it, or something along those lines. 🙂 However, even though he used to tease us unmercifully about Elvis, he was sad, too, and he promised he would never make fun of him again. As far as I can recall, he never did.

Now, for some other accounts of that day…

Elizabeth Jeeves I was in hospital for a small op and I saw it on the front of someone’s newspaper the king is dead and when I read it I saw that it was elvis the king

Judy Allen Jankowski OMG, I remember it so well ~ I was at work and the announcement came on the radio; I just busted out crying. Could not believe that it had happened…that is all that was on the radio and TV stations when he passed. No one gets that much press time unless it is the President. I was glued to all the news media all the way through his funeral. What a sad day for all of us who loved this man for who he was and what he gave to his fans

Alison Henderson I was in Disneyland on a delayed honeymoon. I remember being shocked by the news. Very sobering.

Wendy Kendrick I was bartending and when I heard it on the t.v. I had to leave work I got so upset

Janice Anderson Sitting in a bay house in Sargent Texas

(My sister) Ruth Robertson-Zimmerman You KNOW I remember! Momma had just fixed HB Patties w/Mushroom & Cheddar soup. Sheri came out of her bedroom saying :Elvis died between her sobs. Momma thought she said Alice died but I knew what she had said! Then…Janis wanted to come & get you from work before you found out. So…I said I had to go with her! Most bosses would have thought that was crazy! But 3 of us Robertson giels were working for the same guy @ A&W…& he KNEW it was smart to get you away from there! One of the saddest moments of my life!

Lisa Dolan I was only 6 but brought up with everything Elvis I adore him. Elvis is a unique individual xxx

Kristi Brandon Ribble Watchin’ Flipper and they broke in. I cried all night long.

Janet Carter Beam I was standing in the front yard in Graford, TX and a girl about 13 yrs old came running down the street screaming “Elvis is dead”! She was just hysterical…..I think I was in shock…

Kelly Fennell-Cox I was at my mom’s house & saw her neighbor ran into the house screaming & crying, “He’s dead! He’s dead!” My mom & I thought she was talking about her husband. Finally, She said, “No! Elvis is Dead!” I was in shock!!! I think I cried for several days!!! I still can’t believe he’s gone!!! So thankful for his movies & music.

So…what about you? If you were old enough, do you remember the moment you heard of Elvis’ death?

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August 7, 2015 · 1:13 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 56 – Elvis Himself Talks about Priscilla and Lisa

Please, do yourself a favor and listen to the below audio. (My sweet, beautiful cousin, Barbara Bratton, shared it with me, and I’d never heard it). It was recorded at a concert, and Priscilla and Lisa are there, along with Elvis’ girlfriend at the time, Playboy cover girl, Sheila Ryan. It gives us a rare glimpse of Elvis sharing his true feelings about his ex-wife and the divorce. I’ve always thought Priscilla was INSANE for letting him go, and at one time I disliked her immensely (admittedly, part of it was jealousy :)), but the truth is, Elvis cared about her deeply, always, and she was the mother of his only child, the only woman he married. And, she’s done an incredible job with Graceland.

Elvis starts out by saying: “Let me make something clear, I’ve been singing that song for a long time, and a lot of people have kind of got it associated with me because they think it’s personal to me, but it’s not, it’s a beautiful song written by Marty Robbins…”

He is referring to “You Gave Me a Mountain.” He says he thinks he heard Frankie Laine doing it. I listened to Frankie’s version, and I am afraid I was unimpressed. Marty does a beautiful job, and of course, Elvis knocks it out of the park. Which reminds me, recently, I was talking with a few of my author friends about the Aloha From Hawaii special, which recently aired and one of them (who shall not remain nameless: Kathy L Wheeler, and the other friend was Krysta Scott, FYI) had watched the special. Kathy said he didn’t sound quite up to par (or something along those lines), and they both agreed that, with age, singers often begin to lose it a little. However, Elvis still had his beautiful, powerful voice right up to the very end. Granted, there might be performances where he wasn’t feeling well, and his voice might have shown that, but overall, his voice was always spectacular. Here is Elvis performing “You Gave Me a Mountain” in the Aloha special, and I cannot find a single thing wrong with it…

Among other remarks in the below recording, Elvis says, when he introduces Priscilla: “Boy, she’s a beautiful chick. I’ll tell you for sure, boy. I know it when I pick ’em.”

About the divorce, Elvis says, “We’re the very best of friends and we always have been. Our divorce came about not because of another man or another woman, but because of the circumstances involving my career. I was traveling too much; I was gone too much. It was just an agreement.”

This shows how close Elvis and Priscilla were, even after the divorce. Lisa was 6, so it would have been in 1974. It’s adorable when he introduces Lisa, especially when he tells her to pull her dress down. 🙂

There are just snippets, Elvis says more, so listen to the entire recording:

How awesome is that? He was, indeed, an incredible person with a lot of love for family, friends and fans.

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July 31, 2015 · 4:30 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 55 – Elvis’ Impact on our Culture in Music and Movies

One of the obvious examples of Elvis’ impact on our culture is the songs that are either about him, or mention him. There have been hundreds, some are despicable and not worth mentioning, but a few of my favorites are…

Walking in Memphis by Mark Cohn

Black Velvet by Allanah Myles

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen – I’ve listened to that song off and on since ! and only just discovered it was written by Freddie Mercury as a tribute to Elvis. How did I NOT know that?

Things Change by Tim McGraw

From Graceland to the Promised Land by Merle Haggard

Here is a long list of songs that either mention him or are about him (including the horrible ones :))

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_about_or_referencing_Elvis_Presley

I get very excited when I’m watching a non-Elvis movie and one of his songs plays. That alone can make a so-so movie an excellent one. 🙂

Some of the movies that played Elvis songs (my movie buff daughter, Lana, had to help me with a few of these, and I know I’m still forgetting a ton of them.)

Lilo and Stitch

Practical Magic

Ghost of Girlfriends Past

Lethal Weapon

Fools Rush In

3000 Miles to Graceland

The Man in the Moon

Men in Black

Then, of course, there are the TV shows that mention him, most memorable would be Uncle Jesse in Full House, played by John Stamos, who is a huge Elvis fan in real life. The Graceland tour now includes Ipads to conduct tourists through the mansion, and John Stamos is the narrator. I haven’t been back since they started using these, but I hope to go check it out soon.

And, no one can make a trip to Las Vegas without being exposed to various Elvis-related items, whether it’s Elvis slot machines, the song “Viva, Las Vegas,” the new Elvis Experience show, the Elvis ‘show’ during the Freemont Experience, or, and I hate to even mention the impersonators, because I’m extremely anti-Elvis impersonator, but it is a true testament to Elvis’ impact on our society, our world, even 38 years after his death.

What songs about Elvis do you like? What movies do you recall that played Elvis songs (other than HIS movies, of course :))?

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July 25, 2015 · 9:56 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 54 – Jungle Room, Jerry Lee

I’m sure you’ve all heard of Elvis’ infamous ‘Jungle Room,’ and I’ve actually seen it a few times. But, did you know…

The area was an addition Elvis had constructed in the mid 60s as a den. He furnished it in Polynesian decor, including a waterfall of cut field stone, supposedly because his favorite spot to vacation was Hawaii. Some say it was to rile his father, Vernon, who hated the furniture. I can’t imagine Elvis, or anyone for that matter, would purposely decorate a room just to piss of his dad. 🙂 Most likely, it just so happened Vernon didn’t like the furniture. Inside the room, is one of the early ‘cell phones,’ one of those large, clunky models, which, at the time, was quite advanced technology. Taped to the front are hand-written instructions by Elvis.

Elvis simply referred to it as ‘the den’ but fans and the media dubbed it The Jungle Room after his death. (I’m thinking maybe Elvis actually invented the ‘man cave.’ :))

In 1976, it was used as a recording studio, and Elvis recorded his final two albums there, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee and Moody Blue. In spite of many critics claiming he was ‘washed up’ and had lost his voice, some fabulous songs resulted from those sessions, proving that Elvis still had that powerful, amazing voice. Some of my favorites: “Hurt,” “Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall,” “Danny Boy,” “The Last Farewell,” and “Love Coming Down.” Take a listen and judge for yourself if Elvis had ‘lost it.’

Have you heard the story about Jerry Lee Lewis showing up at Graceland in the middle of the night, waving a gun, then getting arrested? Here is the account that came from Harold Lloyd, Elvis’ cousin who was on duty that night.

Jerry Lee was armed, angry, and obviously inebriated — a dangerous combination for a man mere mortals call ‘Killer’, He was outta his mind, man’, recalls Loyd. ‘He was screamin’, hollerin’, and cussin’.

‘Get on the goddamn phone. I know you got an intercom system. Call up there and tell Elvis I wanna visit with him. Who the hell does he think he is? Tell him the Killer’s here to see him’.

Loyd panicked. ‘I just put my hands up in the air and said, ‘Okay, okay, Jerry, just take it easy’, Loyd retreated to the guard booth and picked up the house phone. One of ‘the boys’ answered and Loyd apprised him of the situation. Loyd was advised to call the cops, and wasted no time in doing so. He also called Elvis, who said if he came down there, he’d kill Jerry Lee, and to call the cops.

When the police arrived, Jerry Lee had the gun on his lap and his driver’s window was shattered. He refused to get out of the vehicle when ordered, and was arrested.

Below is Jerry Lee’s version. This might be closer to the truth. It seems those surrounding Elvis liked to keep him in seclusion and liked to manipulate his emotions in order to continue riding the gravy train of being employed by and/or friends with him.

What do you think? I’m afraid I will have to challenge Jerry Lee’s thinking that he could possibly compare to Elvis. I love his music, and he is definitely a legend, but he’s no Elvis Presley. But then, who is?

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July 10, 2015 · 3:09 pm

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 52 – A Quickie & a Contest

Today’s post will be very short. It’s been a busy week and I’ve barely had time to think. So, I thought I would just share a few random things. And, I’m rolling out a contest and will ask an Elvis questions to get it started.

~ A DJ on Elvis radio was talking to fans who were visiting Graceland. One of the people he spoke with was a man who had lost his sight. His lifelong dream was to visit Graceland, and he and his wife hoped to do it together one day. He was finally visiting Graceland, but he lost his wife nine years earlier. His children and grandchildren brought him. How sad that, when he finally realized his dream to visit Elvis’ home, it was without his wife, or his sight. 😦 It’s also yet another example of what a huge impact Elvis has on his fan’s lives, and how emotionally tied to him we can be.

~ I also wanted to share this song. I hadn’t heard it in a while, and Elvis Radio played it recently. His voice is haunting and beautiful, and the lyrics are sooo sad.

~ On a lighter note…

Beginning with this post, I am starting a contest through my blog where, each month, I will give away a $10 gift card from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, plus winner’s choice of any of my published stories. All you have to do to enter is comment. On or around the 10th of each month. I will draw one name from all the commenters.

Elvis question of the week:

Name 3 songs Elvis recorded with the word ‘rain’ in the title.

Have a wonderful weekend…thanks for stopping by!

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Learn more here, including how to donate:

http://www.graceland.com/epcf/

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July 3, 2015 · 10:40 am

Ramblings of a Lifelong Elvis Fan – Part 51 – My First Elvis Concert – 40 Years Ago

July 8^th will mark the 40^th anniversary of my first Elvis concert in 1975. There would be two more, one in 1976, one in 1977. After the March 25, 1977 concert, as we did each year, my sisters and I anxiously awaited the announcement of Elvis’ appearance in our city the following year. We knew his tour would bring him through Oklahoma City, we just didn’t know exactly when, and we had to stay on top of it, because his tickets sold out very quickly.

However, instead of hearing the dates of his 1978 tour, five months later, we received the announcement that he had passed away. We were shocked, devastated, grief-stricken, as was most of the world.

From the July 8, 1977 Concert in Oklahoma City

I don’t know if I can really describe what it felt like to be at one of his concerts, but I’m going to try…(I had just turned 14 a week before my first Elvis concert, FYI)

In the weeks leading up to the concert, I feel like ‘THE DAY’ will never get here. It’s almost all I can think about. Then, the day comes, and I’m so excited, I feel like I’ll burst with anticipation.

We arrive at the packed Myriad Convention Center (now the Cox Convention Center) and find our seats. They are far from the stage, but it doesn’t matter. I will actually be in the same room with Elvis…it seems impossible, too good to be true. I admit, I don’t remember anything about the opening act(s). All I recall is wishing they would hurry up and finish, so Elvis would come on stage.

Finally, they do. There is an intermission that seems to last forever. Then…the lights go down. A chorus of frenzied screams rise. I scream right along with them. This music starts…

I can literally feel it moving through me, vibrating my insides. My body tingles, my heart drops into my stomach. I can barely breathe. I can’t believe that, in moments, I am going to see Elvis… The spotlight shines at the side of the stage, then Elvis appears, strides out onto stage, and the crowd goes insane. I am screaming, crying. Elvis starts singing C.C. Rider (I wish I could remember each song he sang, that I had written them all down, but I didn’t. I wasn’t thinking about it back then, about how I would want to hold onto every minor detail of the memory, I was living in the moment. :)) I am not close enough to see him that well, but I have binoculars, and I can bring him nearer… He’s beautiful. He smiles and smirks and jokes and gives scarves and kisses.

I am soooo jealous that I am not one of the lucky girls close enough to get either. But his magical voice booms through the auditorium. The crowd screams so loudly, it’s hard to hear some of the songs, but I can’t fault them, because I am screaming as well. I am crying, too. Partly out of happiness, but partly out of an odd sadness, knowing that this is all I can have of him, these few hours of watching him perform, and then, it will be over. I can’t touch him, I can’t meet him, I can’t be a part of his world. I can’t marry him… (Yes, I definitely wanted to marry him. I fantasized about it, as many, many young girls and women did.).

The air sizzles with electricity. There is nothing like the feeling of being at an Elvis concert…knowing that he is THERE, in the room, in the flesh…it’s surreal and amazing. Much too soon, it’s over. He sings “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and kisses more girls, shakes hands, and I know…he’s going to be gone in seconds. Then, he waves, strides off stage, and an intense loss fills me. I’m still happy, because I just saw Elvis live…but I’m also deeply sad. It’s over. And, I know, that nothing else that will happen can compare when I just experienced.

Article about Elvis’ performance on July 8, 1975: http://www.elvisconcerts.com/newspapers/press351.htm

A few of my favorite snippets from the article:

Elvis shows he’s a showman, manipulating the audience to the point that he can curl his lip and get a reaction.

His show contains no elements of surprise, but it needs no drama, for the audience provides the tension.

Presley has reached the point in his career – maybe the plateau – where he doesn’t ever need to sing another new song.

The fans are there, evidenced by the sellout of 15,000 – plus tickets in a single day for the Myriad concert. He can probably come here anytime he wants to – five days in a row – and fill the place. If nothing else, Elvis Presley is a phenomenon, finding fans from every walk of life and in generation after generation.

AND

Elvis doesn’t need to milk an audience for its applause. All he has to do is show up.

I know that I am luckier than many Elvis fans. Some never saw him in concert at all, and I feel truly blessed that I did. Thanks to my parents, who knew how much it meant to me and my sisters. I am still slightly resentful that they did not allow me or my younger sister, Ruth, to go to the first Elvis concert my two older sisters, Sheri and Janis, attended. Granted, it was in 1970, and Ruth and I were ‘almost’ 7 and 9, respectively, but still…I thought we should have been allowed to go. Don’t you?

Did you ever see Elvis live in concert? What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever been to?

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Tag Archives: Elvis Presley

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In the Ghetto (Written by Mac Davis, recorded by Elvis in 1969)

Don’t Cry Daddy (Written by Mac Davis, recorded by Elvis in 1969)

One Night (Written by Dave Bartholomew and Earl King, recorded by Elvis in 1957)

All Shook Up (Written by Otis Blackwell, recorded by Elvis in 1957)

Softly as I leave you (Composed in Italian by Giorgio Calabrese and Tony De Vita. English songwriter Hal Shaper added English lyrics to it in 1961. This song wasn’t actually recorded by Elvis, but was only done in concerts.)

Heartbreak Hotel: (Written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, recorded by Elvis in 1956)

Are You Lonesome Tonight: (Written by y Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926, recorded by Elvis in 1960)

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Girl Happy:

Harum Scarum

Tickle Me:

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Today’s post will be very short. It’s been a busy week and I’ve barely had time to think. So, I thought I would just share a few random things. And, I’m rolling out a contest and will ask an Elvis questions to get it started.

Elvis question of the week:

EOLS Charity

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However, instead of hearing the dates of his 1978 tour, five months later, we received the announcement that he had passed away. We were shocked, devastated, grief-stricken, as was most of the world.

EOLS Charity

END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!

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