Tag Archives: Sirius XM Elvis Radio

October 24, 2014 · 11:51 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XVIII  –  Song & Movie Tidbits

I thought I would share a few facts that I find interesting. If you’re an Elvis fan, you might already know them. If not, then I hope you find them interesting as well.

A Star is Born  – A highly successful movie released in 1976 starring Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Barbara and Elvis were friends and held one another in high regard. Barbara asked Elvis to co-star with her in the movie, and he was thrilled. He planned to do it, but Colonel Parker nixed it and wouldn’t let him. I think this would have been a huge turning point in Elvis’ acting career, and in his life in general. 

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Thunder Road – An excellent movie from 1958 starring Robert Mitchum. Elvis was a fan of Mitchum’s and wanted to meet him. When they met, Mitchum asked him if he’d be interested in co-starring in Thunder Road. Elvis was thrilled and desperately wanted the role, but the Colonel refused.

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Don’t Cry Daddy – Written by Mac Davis, who also wrote quite a few other songs for Elvis, one of the most popular being In the Ghetto. Mac said that Elvis made some tweaks to most of his songs, and in this one, Mac ended it with ‘another little baby child is born in the ghetto’ and Elvis added ‘and his mama cries’ – which Mac thought was genius. Back to Don’t Cry Daddy, in Mac’s own words, here is the story of how the song came to be:
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. Basically that’s where the song came from. It was a combination of him telling me not to cry because of watching this massacre in Vietnam on TV and my own situation having gone through a divorce. I didn’t know at the time that it was a special song. It was just another day in the life of a songwriter. We write songs about our lives and about things that happen to us…I do remember thinking that I should have written another verse for it. But that was me. That’ll be on my tombstone, “I was still working on that last verse.”

 

Help Me – An Elvis song written by Larry Gatlin. Elvis recorded a few of Larry’s songs, my favorite of them by far is Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall. I heard a brief interview with Larry Gatlin on Elvis radio recently. He said that he was struggling financially, and he and his wife were at home, wondering how they were going to keep their house. He received a call from a mutual friend of his and Elvis who told him Elvis was recording his song. Larry hung up the phone and said to his wife, “Honey, we can keep the house.”

Here is Elvis’ rendition of Bitter They Are. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a live version. 

 

Heartbreak Hotel, recorded in January, 1956 – Elvis’ first million selling record was co-written by Mae Boren Axton, mother of singer/songwriter Hoyt Axton. She was an English teacher and a songwriter. A steel guitarist, Tommy Durden, read an article about a man who killed himself and left a suicide note that read “I walk a lonely street.” He showed the article to Mae and the two collaborated on the song. Mae took a position as a part time public relations secretary for Colonel Parker, and when she met Elvis in 1955, she said that he had everything it took to be a star except a hit song. She told him, “You need a million-seller, and I’m going to write it for you.” And, that she did.

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October 17, 2014 · 9:52 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XVII  –  Elvis and Wink

Game show host Wink  Martindale started out in radio, and he was around when the Elvis phenomenon was just beginning. I’ve heard several interviews with Wink and his wife, Sandy, on Elvis radio. They both adored Elvis and have the utmost respect for him.

elvis and wink

Wink was part of a historical day in 1954. Here is an excerpt from an interview with Wink about that time:

“My dream was to work at WHBQ radio and do the morning show called ‘Clockwatchers’ — all the teenagers listened to that.”

His dream came true in 1954, when he auditioned and got the morning gig when he was just 19 years old. It was also the year he met Elvis Presley, with whom he was friends until the King’s death in 1977.

“I happened to be at the radio station one night showing a group of former football buddies from high school around the radio station,” Martindale recalls. “It was at night when there was a show called ‘Red Hot & Blue’ with a guy named Dewey Phillips. He played black music for white kids. All of a sudden I hear a commotion going on. The phones were lit up and I went into Dewey’s control room.”

It so happened that was the night that Sun Records founder Sam Phillips walked into Phillips’ control room with an acetate recording of Presley’s “That’s All Right Mama.”

“Dewey put it on the turntable and the switchboard lit up. He kept playing it over and over. Sam gave me Gladys and Vernon Presley’s telephone number and said get them on the phone and ask them where Elvis is. I was the one who made the call and got Gladys on the phone.”

Martindale told Presley’s mother that Dewey Phillips wanted to interview him that night at the station. His parents got into their truck and found their son at a movie theater by himself catching a western double bill.

“He got into the truck and went down and sat in front of the microphone,” says Martindale. That was the beginning of Presley mania. I think of that as the night when the course of popular music changed forever.”

Just a few years later, Jul 4, 1956,Wink would interview Elvis. Elvis was performing a benefit concert for at Russwood Park in Memphis for The Cynthia Mil Fund and the Variety Club’s Home for Convalescent Children. I love that Elvis was not only charitable, but that most of his charitable acts were to help children.

Colonel Parker did not want Elvis to appear on television without getting paid, but Elvis did so anyway. This is one of the first ever televised interviews of Elvis. 

 

 

The beginning of Elvis’ unprecedented career is rich with history and momentous events. Yet, even as it was happening, and even up to the day he passed away, he really wasn’t aware of the impact he had on the world. He was often afraid that his popularity would fade, that people would forget him. I imagine he would be blown away to see how his legend has lived on, how his life and career are still celebrated. 

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October 10, 2014 · 12:11 pm

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XVI – The Ultimate Celebrity

As everyone knows by now, in my opinion, Elvis had it all.

He was insanely gorgeous and sexy. His voice was phenomenal, magical. He could dance, he could act. He was generous and down to earth. And, people who met him said he had this special charisma that was impossible to put into words, impossible to resist.

EP close up beautiful EP 68 sexy EP Wink

And, Elvis did things that no other entertainers will ever do. Can you imagine performers of today; Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Bruno Mars, and others like them, taking two years away from their careers to serve in the armed forces? (I guess these are good examples of the currently popular male singers. Either way, you get my point. :))

Elvis uniformEP in service

Elvis was so special, that my sister, Ruth, and I had to make a ‘deal’ when we played barbies. Instead of having actual Ken dolls (we didn’t have a lot of money, so we had to make do with just the Barbies themselves), we would have imaginary guys for our Barbie boyfriends. However, since we would both want Elvis, and neither would give in, and it would be unfair for either of us to have him for our BB’s (Barbie Boyfriends), we struck a bargain. Neither of us could pick Elvis. He was just too untouchable, off limits. 🙂 Instead, we had to settle for guys like David Cassidy, Donny Osmond, Bobby Sherman, and so forth. Somehow, we made do.

Elvis cowboy Elvis in jeans

Elvis generosity is legendary. He purchased FDR’s Yacht in 1964, intending to donate it to March of Dimes, but they refused the gift, saying the upkeep was too much. He ended up donating it to St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital. I’ve heard stories, although I’m not sure how many of them are true, about his giving nature. One story is about a man who saw Elvis and a friend in Memphis one day. Elvis was searching his pockets for a dime to make a phone call. The man gave him a dime, and Elvis asked for his address so he could send him a thank you note. A few weeks later, the man received a letter from Elvis with the news that he’d paid off his mortgage. Of course, the stories about his giving away cars is almost as well-known as Elvis himself. One of my favorites is the story about the black lady who worked as a housekeeper at a hospital in Memphis. She was walking down Union Avenue and saw a stretch limo in front of a dealership with its doors open. She stuck her head in to look inside and commented on what a beautiful car it was. Elvis was in the car, and he instructed the man with him to order her one just like it. I also heard that, In 1975, he bought an electric wheelchair for a poor woman in East Memphis, and that he picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman’s teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job. Even if some of these stories are exaggerated or fabricated, enough has been documented about his philanthropic nature for me to be certain he had a kind and giving heart.

EP March of Dimes Elvis with gold record

Who is your ultimate celebrity? Why? Is it mainly because of their talent and appeal, or does it go deeper than that?

 

 

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October 3, 2014 · 10:16 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XV – Elvis’ Twin

elvis military snow

I have always been fascinated by the fact that Elvis was born a twin. The other baby, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. Can you imagine, what if Jesse had been born? Would they have looked alike? Would Jesse have been able to sing like Elvis? Would he have been an entertainer as well, or would it have changed Elvis’ course in life, and maybe he wouldn’t have become an entertainer at all? Throughout his life, Elvis was also fascinated about his twin. Those close to him knew just how much losing Jesse Garon affected him.

Here is a great article by Elvis’ hairdresser and friend, Larry Geller. He talks about how intrigued Elvis was about the fact that he had a twin brother. 

Click here for article

A couple of additional things to share…

I love it when other celebrities talk about Elvis, and this definitely caught my attention. I saw Robert Plant, lead singer of Led Zepplin on Jimmy Fallon recently. Plant is a huge Elvis fan. He speaks with Jimmy about meeting Elvis in 1974. Elvis said he’d heard that Robert sound checked to one of his songs and asked him which one. Robert said “Love Me.” They were leaving and headed down the hallway. Elvis turned around and started singing “Love Me” and Robert Plant sang with him. Plant said, “I could have packed up, quit and gone home right then.” (I paraphrased). Even though I’ve basically quoted the entire interview, here it is if you want to check it out:

 

Lastly, I have a new release out, and as I’ve stated before, I try to mention Elvis in all my published works. Here is a little snippet from Without Mercy:

China’s house was too quiet. She put on an Elvis Presley CD—finding comfort in the music she and her aunt had listened to when she was growing up—and turned the volume up as loud as it would go. She was heading up the stairs when it occurred to her that the music would mask the noise of an intruder.

Debating for just a moment, she decided the silence was worse, and left the music on. “Danny Boy” blasted around her as she reached the top of the stairs.

Her house was a multi-level, thirty four hundred square-foot Tudor with five bedrooms, a pool, sauna and hot tub. The front was secluded by an overhang of trees, and the back yard opened up into a wooded area. The home was much more elaborate than she could possibly afford on her salary. There were months she could barely make the utilities, and last summer she hadn’t opened the pool because she couldn’t afford the upkeep. But at least she didn’t have to pay a mortgage.

She’d always counted herself lucky that Gary had left her the house as compensation for his abandonment. But now it felt like enemy territory, and the spacious rooms seemed to be nothing more than good hiding places for intruders.

In the bathroom, she turned the shower on as hot as it would go and stripped, stepping quickly inside. Steam surrounded her, the spray so strong, it stung her skin. But that was okay. It meant she was alive.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing under the water. It had turned cold, yet she remained. The strains of “Love Comin’ Down” penetrated through the closed door. She considered getting out, but the cold water was starting to numb her, and that was what she needed. To forget, not to feel for a while.

“China?” A man’s voice bellowed her name at the same time the bathroom door flung open, slamming against the wall. She screamed as the shower curtain was yanked back.

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September 26, 2014 · 9:49 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XIV – Did you know…

Thought I’d share some fun facts about Elvis. How many of these tidbits did you already know?

In 1974, Elvis bought the entire stock of Lincoln Mark IV’s from Schilling Motors in Memphis and gave them all away as gifts.

George Klein became friends with Elvis when they were in eighth grade at Humes High in Memphis. They remained friends throughout Elvis’ life and George currently has a radio show on SiriusXM Elvis Radio. Elvis valued friendship very highly and many members of the so-called ‘Memphis Mafia’ that surrounded him throughout his career were guys he’d known from the early days.

elvis school pic

There has been a great deal of speculation about the spelling of Elvis’ middle name, whether it was Aron or Aaron. George Klein explained on his radio show that Elvis told them how that came to be. It was always intended to be spelled with one ‘a’ but in the excitement during his birth—when his twin, Jessie Garon was stillborn—they spelled it with only one ‘a’. Later, Elvis wanted it changed to the biblical spelling with two a’s and Vernon wanted to honor Elvis’ preference, and that is why it is with two a’s on his tombstone.

Elvis’ 1973 concert, Aloha from Hawaii was a benefit where all proceeds went to cancer research. Rather than charging for tickets, those who attended were only asked to pay whatever they could donate. 

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When Elvis first started making movies, he tried not to smile much, because he was afraid to show his teeth, afraid the studio executives would want to ‘yank them out and replace them with movie star teeth.’ Which was insane, because his teeth were beautiful.

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Lisa Marie was born 9 months to the day after Elvis and Priscilla married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on May 1, 1967. (There has been a lot of talk about Elvis bringing Priscilla to live with him at Graceland when she was just a ‘child’ but she was 18 when she moved to Graceland in 1963)

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Elvis’ granddaughter, Riley Keough, is an actress, but she chose not to use the Presley name to help her career and chose instead to make it on her own. (She most definitely has the Presley ‘look’)

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Many people said that in Elvis’ later years, his voice had begun to fail and that he couldn’t sing the way he used to. Some of his most beautiful songs, some of the most difficult to sing, were recorded in 1976, a year before his death, in the Jungle Room at Graceland, which had been turned into a studio. Here is Danny Boy from those sessions. When I was younger, this was never one of my favorite songs, but now, I love it. His voice is so beautiful, so haunting. I actually get emotional now when I hear it. Enjoy…

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September 19, 2014 · 8:15 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XIII – Quotes by Elvis

Elvis has been quoted many, many times over the years. In some of the quotes, his vulnerability and insecurity come through. In some, his wisdom, and in others, his love for his fans. Those who were close to Elvis emphasized how much he loved and appreciated his fans. In spite of his unparalleled success, he never forgot how it came to be.

 

Here are some of my favorites…

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September 19, 2014 · 8:15 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part XIII – Quotes by Elvis

Elvis has been quoted many, many times over the years. In some of the quotes, his vulnerability and insecurity come through. In some, his wisdom, and in others, his love for his fans. Those who were close to Elvis emphasized how much he loved and appreciated his fans. In spite of his unparalleled success, he never forgot how it came to be.

 

Here are some of my favorites…

elvis_presley_quote_30x20 NO SAINTquote - comic booksjames dean etcjesusoceanshirt quote 2 HOllywood musicquote-the-lord-can-give-and-the-lord-can-take-away-i-might-be-herding-sheep-next-year-elvis-presley-148538

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September 12, 2014 · 7:47 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 12 – Fans Share Their Thoughts

Today, I have asked a handful of other Elvis fans to join me in sharing what he means to them. A few of them are my sisters and a few I met through an awesome Elvis Facebook page:  Elvis Presley on Facebook

I asked them to answer the following questions and share some of their favorite photos:

How long have you been an Elvis fan? 
 
How did you become an Elvis fan?
 
Although I know it’s almost impossible to put into words, what do you love about Elvis?
 
What is your favorite memory of Elvis?
 
I realize it’s difficult, if not impossible, for an Elvis fan to name their favorites, please give us one of your favorite songs and movies and why. 
 
 

Gabriela Curt from Buenos Aires, Argentina…

I‘ve been an Elvis fan for more than 30 years. I became an Elvis fan watching his movies on TV in the seventies.

I love almost everything about Elvis. I love the way he looked, his amazing voice. But most of all I love the person he was. That he was a caring person, his spirituality, his search for a greater knowledge, his sensitivity, and the fact that he was a giving person. His life philosophy, the way he smiled, the tender look in his eyes. I also think he was a forgiving person, and I feel he put others’ needs ahead of his own. I know I didn’t have the chance to meet him in person, but this is how I feel after hearing his many interviews, and also because of the things some of his closest friends have said. I love that he was human, and he had the ability to show himself as a real person. He was sincere with people around him and his fans. I‘ve listened to many live concerts in which he talked to the audience as if he was talking among friends. Although I know he wasn’t perfect, he was the closest to perfection. He wasn’t afraid of being himself, and if he was nervous he would let the audience know it. The one thing I admire the most about him, is that he was a man of his word; he was generous in so many ways, I learned he gave a woman he didn’t even know a car; not for the material fact, but because I find it as a symbol of his generosity.

Unfortunately he died when I was only 9 years old, but by that time I’d watched most of his movies. I was devastated when he died. I couldn’t see or listen to him, until last year. I started taking singing lessons and I had to choose the songs I wanted to learn, as I was making amends with some persons and situations in my life, I chose “Always on my Mind”. That’s when I began listening to Elvis again. One song led to another, until I found on August 2013, the 2005 movie: “Elvis The Mini Series”. It starts with Elvis minutes before the 1968 Comeback Special, and then it jumps back directly to 1952, and starts telling his story. It shows some of the fights he had with the Colonel about the movies and his desire of becoming a serious actor, and singing opera. It also caught my attention the relationship he had with his hairdresser, Larry Geller, and all the talks they had about religion and spiritual matters. The Colonel, forbidding Elvis and Larry being together alone, and also, putting a time limit of 2 hours to their meetings!!! It also shows Elvis feeling sick when he has going to shoot a new movie.  Let me tell you, it touched my heart and soul.  I cried all through the movie and for a few more days. And then I watched it again. It was a wakeup call!! I was trying to do some changes in my life but I haven’t had the courage to do them till then. The one thing that gave me the courage was seeing what he went through doing things, such as the movies and never becoming the serious actor he wanted to be. It also shows his temper, but what the heck, he’s human!!! In so many levels he is an example to me. In my own way, I try to do what he had done helping people. I think he gave us so much more than his music.

My favourite song is: “Bridge over Troubled Water”, it has become my inspiration every time I ‘m feeling down, especially when he sings: Sail on Silver Girl… I feel somehow Elvis ‘s talking to me.

My favorite movie is: “Change of Habit” because of the message it gives about following your own bliss.

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Angel from Minnesota…

I have been an Elvis fan consciously since I was 5 years old – exsposed to him always as my aunts, parents and Grandma all listened to his music at different times in my life.

I became a true Elvis fan when I saw him on television for the first time.. I remember being star struck, standing motionless in awe. He was the most fantastic thing I had ever seen in my five years! From that point on, I had posters, garage sale cassette tapes and Elvis in my heart! My grandmother visited Graceland when I was very young, returning with photos and souvenirs just for me!! It was quite special…

What I love about Elvis – impossible to describe – as best I can, I will say he’s beautiful inside.. his heart was like a flowing fountain, his generosity and charitable good deeds made him like an Angel to a lot of struggling people. He was funny, laughing and being silly is the key to a personalities loving existence  and he sure had it! He was smart and looked for deeper meaning, he was spiritual and wanted to know his purpose – because of his influence, I began to seek the same answers about life for myself… I will always be thankful to Elvis for pointing me down that path. … he was gorgeous – seeeexaaa!! Adonis! More so because of the inside, but definitely on the outside too!!! He had raw sex appeal – the best part is, he knew it and worked it like a magician works magic… there is yet to be another star who can do that. And then – the music… always there for me – to cry – to laugh – to sing – to dance- to mourn – to celebrate – to pass a rainy day – to brush my cares away – to wake – to eat – to sleep – its always a good time to have Elvis…. even if there is no sound, I can sing his every word, endless, timeless. He will always be there.

So hard to pick one favorite song – but if it must be one, it would be the one I sing most often – ”lead me, guide me”. – when I need strength and I am feeling flustered for one reason or another, I always catch myself going there for comfort. My favorite movie is ”king Creole” – I am a huge fan of Carolyn Jones and her and Elvis are my favorite on screen couple…

My Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/ElvisPresleymylove

 

 

 

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Photoshop of Elvis and I

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Ruth Zimmerman from Miami, Oklahoma (My sister)

How long have you been an Elvis fan? How did you become an Elvis fan?

I have been an Elvis fan since I was 5….45 years!

My sister, Alicia, came in our bedroom saying “Hurry Ruth! That guy is on t.v. that momma thinks is so cute!” I followed her & ended up laying on the floor staring at this GORGEOUS creature in Harum Scarum! I never knew a turban could be so sexy!

There are many, many things about Elvis I love! #1 is his drop-dread, out of this world looks! I made a comment at work one time that he literally DRIPPED with sex! It grossed a few out & I was like….gross??? That’s not the 1st thought that came to my mind!!

I love his music! No better singer….ever!!!!!!! The fact that he loved & respected his momma so much! He never forgot his roots OR who gave him this Heavenly voice….our Lord & Savior…Jesus Christ!

Through the years…I figured out what I TRULY loved about Elvis, which is the most important thing! He became a constant in my relationships with my sisters!! We have all 5 loved him, shared him, & appreciated each others love for him! I am not saying we NEEDED Elvis to have a close, loving sister-hood. But we will never know…will we?

I have so many favorite memories of Elvis:

Seeing him in concert for the very 1st time…at the ripe old age of 11…with my sisters! We were finally seeing ELVIS in person!!

Also…Me & my husband taking my sister, Alicia to Memphis for her 40th birthday! We finally got to experience “Elvis Land” together!!!

If I had to pick JUST 1??? I guess it would be seeing him in concert in May of 1977. Little did I know that was the last time I would get to experience the magic of a live Elvis concert. I wish I would have appreciated it more….but I don’t know how I could have??? Again….just as all Elvis memories…my sisters were there sharing that spell bounding night with me & my EP! 

SONG….”Bridge Over Troubled Water” It kind of became my anthem to my sister Alicia! As my older sister….she had been there for me many times in my life. My other sisters had too but Alicia & I shared a closeness that’s hard to explain. When she had went thru some rough times in her life & I got the chance to return the favor (s)….albeit minimal to what she had done….This song was playing as I was thinking of how I could help her like she had helped me. And that’s when I decided…I would always be her “Bridge Over Troubled Water”!

MOVIE….I am assuming you don’t want us to include documentaries??? My all time favorite on screen Elvis was his ’68 Comeback Special! But if you want a Hollywood scripted movie??? “Live A Little….Love A Little” WHY??? He never, ever looked sexier & showed his “manness” like he did in that movie! Well….can I also add “Change Of Habit?” Same reasons!

ruth

 

 

Christi from Moore, Oklahoma (another sister) 

I have been an Elvis fan my entire life. I was born into it-some kids were rocked to sleep with lullabies…for me it was Elvis songs. 

I love his smile, his eyes when he smiles….his gorgeous face…I love how Elvis interacted with people and I love how he has fans being born today 37 years after his death. I love how Elvis bonds friends, sisters, mothers & daughter and families. He is just like no other. 

I did not get to go to an Elvis concert. I do not even have memories of a world that had Elvis living….My favorite memory of Elvis is growing up an Elvis fan, growing up being part of something very special. Being an Elvis fan is special and wonderful-being a Robertson girl is too. Being both is rare and a gift there are only 5 of us in the world.

Favorite movie: Jailhouse Rock, Clambake

Favorite Song:  Love Me, If I Can Dream, One Night, Suspicious Minds, Devil in Disguise

This is too hard and these are not my only favorites at all-there are way  too many!

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Graceland pics me and my girls

🙂 And a few of my favorites of Elvis!

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Tommy French, Louisville, Ky. USA.

I have been an Elvis fan since age 14. When Elvis passed away no one in my family listened to Elvis, so I wondered what was so special about Elvis that the entire world was mourning his passing. So, between his death and the winter tv season, there were numerous special about his life that I watched, then in January 1978, I sent off for a Elvis album advertised on tv, and when I got it, the first time I played it, I was hooked, and I knew it would be something that would last the rest of my life. There are many things I love about Elvis. His talent of course. And I can appreciate his 50’s style because he was different, and radical, and his created a new and entirely different style of music. Then, there is his ability to communicate a song in such a way, that everyone listening feels as if he is talking directly to them. I appreciate his willingness to serve his country when called upon to do so. Then, there is the fact that Elvis was a God fearing Christian man, and sought to bring the gospel message of Jesus Christ to his fans. And that he was sincere in that presentation. In his 70’s style, there were several elements I appreciate. One is his sound being created by some of the best musicians ever assembled in one band. His use of the best Southern Gospel quartet in the business at that time satisfies my love of quartet singing. The Sweet Inspirations were great, and his use of an orchestra and the vocals of Kathy Westmoreland satisfies my love of Classical music. Then, Elvis stage outfits, being a combination of Victorian, and Colonial or Georgian style, satisfies my love of that period of history. As far as how Elvis has impacted my life, there have been many lonely periods of my life, my divorce 23 years ago for example. Besides the Lord’s presence in life, Elvis’ music helped take my mind off of the sting of that period. As far as my favorite song is concerned, I have two, I’ve Lost You, and American Trilogy. As far as movies go, I have two favorites, Charro, and Change of Habit, because I feel he showed some great acting ability in each of these two.

 

Auburn “Rusty” Jaquess

I have been an Elvis fan all my life. My sister Evelyn was an Elvis groupie on the 50s.

Everything. The respect he showed others, his charisma, his voice, his impact on my life, etc….

My dad, and JD Sumners were friends for years, and we went to watch the Stamps a lot in the 60s. As you know he became backup for Elvis. Which sets up my favorites memory. Elvis was performing in Ft Worth, Texas. My dad called JD, and told him how big a groupie I had become in the 70s going from concert to concert. JD set it up so I could go backstage with my brother to get his autograph. I was at that moment transported to heaven. Even though the four girls behind me pretty much had his attention.

I lived, and breathed Elvis. I would listen to his records in the morning when I was getting ready for school. If any of his movies came to town, or on TV I couldn’t resist no matter how,many times I’ve seen them. He was always there, and knowing that made life easier. When he passed when I was in college it devastated me for years, and I know I’m not the same person now that I was then.

Favorites song? That is a hard one if I had to choose one I would choose his favorites ” If I Can Dream”. Movie? Again I would choose his favorites ” King Creole”

Rusty Rusty'sfavpic

 

 

 

 

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September 12, 2014 · 7:47 am

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 12 – Fans Share Their Thoughts

Today, I have asked a handful of other Elvis fans to join me in sharing what he means to them. A few of them are my sisters and a few I met through an awesome Elvis Facebook page:  Elvis Presley on Facebook

I asked them to answer the following questions and share some of their favorite photos:

How long have you been an Elvis fan? 
 
How did you become an Elvis fan?
 
Although I know it’s almost impossible to put into words, what do you love about Elvis?
 
What is your favorite memory of Elvis?
 
I realize it’s difficult, if not impossible, for an Elvis fan to name their favorites, please give us one of your favorite songs and movies and why. 
 
 

Gabriela Curt from Buenos Aires, Argentina…

I‘ve been an Elvis fan for more than 30 years. I became an Elvis fan watching his movies on TV in the seventies.

I love almost everything about Elvis. I love the way he looked, his amazing voice. But most of all I love the person he was. That he was a caring person, his spirituality, his search for a greater knowledge, his sensitivity, and the fact that he was a giving person. His life philosophy, the way he smiled, the tender look in his eyes. I also think he was a forgiving person, and I feel he put others’ needs ahead of his own. I know I didn’t have the chance to meet him in person, but this is how I feel after hearing his many interviews, and also because of the things some of his closest friends have said. I love that he was human, and he had the ability to show himself as a real person. He was sincere with people around him and his fans. I‘ve listened to many live concerts in which he talked to the audience as if he was talking among friends. Although I know he wasn’t perfect, he was the closest to perfection. He wasn’t afraid of being himself, and if he was nervous he would let the audience know it. The one thing I admire the most about him, is that he was a man of his word; he was generous in so many ways, I learned he gave a woman he didn’t even know a car; not for the material fact, but because I find it as a symbol of his generosity.

Unfortunately he died when I was only 9 years old, but by that time I’d watched most of his movies. I was devastated when he died. I couldn’t see or listen to him, until last year. I started taking singing lessons and I had to choose the songs I wanted to learn, as I was making amends with some persons and situations in my life, I chose “Always on my Mind”. That’s when I began listening to Elvis again. One song led to another, until I found on August 2013, the 2005 movie: “Elvis The Mini Series”. It starts with Elvis minutes before the 1968 Comeback Special, and then it jumps back directly to 1952, and starts telling his story. It shows some of the fights he had with the Colonel about the movies and his desire of becoming a serious actor, and singing opera. It also caught my attention the relationship he had with his hairdresser, Larry Geller, and all the talks they had about religion and spiritual matters. The Colonel, forbidding Elvis and Larry being together alone, and also, putting a time limit of 2 hours to their meetings!!! It also shows Elvis feeling sick when he has going to shoot a new movie.  Let me tell you, it touched my heart and soul.  I cried all through the movie and for a few more days. And then I watched it again. It was a wakeup call!! I was trying to do some changes in my life but I haven’t had the courage to do them till then. The one thing that gave me the courage was seeing what he went through doing things, such as the movies and never becoming the serious actor he wanted to be. It also shows his temper, but what the heck, he’s human!!! In so many levels he is an example to me. In my own way, I try to do what he had done helping people. I think he gave us so much more than his music.

My favourite song is: “Bridge over Troubled Water”, it has become my inspiration every time I ‘m feeling down, especially when he sings: Sail on Silver Girl… I feel somehow Elvis ‘s talking to me.

My favorite movie is: “Change of Habit” because of the message it gives about following your own bliss.

10551086_775092389179244_3632047462062571102_n ElvisPresley-22

 

 

Angel from Minnesota…

I have been an Elvis fan consciously since I was 5 years old – exsposed to him always as my aunts, parents and Grandma all listened to his music at different times in my life.

I became a true Elvis fan when I saw him on television for the first time.. I remember being star struck, standing motionless in awe. He was the most fantastic thing I had ever seen in my five years! From that point on, I had posters, garage sale cassette tapes and Elvis in my heart! My grandmother visited Graceland when I was very young, returning with photos and souvenirs just for me!! It was quite special…

What I love about Elvis – impossible to describe – as best I can, I will say he’s beautiful inside.. his heart was like a flowing fountain, his generosity and charitable good deeds made him like an Angel to a lot of struggling people. He was funny, laughing and being silly is the key to a personalities loving existence  and he sure had it! He was smart and looked for deeper meaning, he was spiritual and wanted to know his purpose – because of his influence, I began to seek the same answers about life for myself… I will always be thankful to Elvis for pointing me down that path. … he was gorgeous – seeeexaaa!! Adonis! More so because of the inside, but definitely on the outside too!!! He had raw sex appeal – the best part is, he knew it and worked it like a magician works magic… there is yet to be another star who can do that. And then – the music… always there for me – to cry – to laugh – to sing – to dance- to mourn – to celebrate – to pass a rainy day – to brush my cares away – to wake – to eat – to sleep – its always a good time to have Elvis…. even if there is no sound, I can sing his every word, endless, timeless. He will always be there.

So hard to pick one favorite song – but if it must be one, it would be the one I sing most often – ”lead me, guide me”. – when I need strength and I am feeling flustered for one reason or another, I always catch myself going there for comfort. My favorite movie is ”king Creole” – I am a huge fan of Carolyn Jones and her and Elvis are my favorite on screen couple…

My Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/ElvisPresleymylove

 

 

 

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Photoshop of Elvis and I

IMG_10204116805002IMG_20140519_125636images-89

 

Ruth Zimmerman from Miami, Oklahoma (My sister)

How long have you been an Elvis fan? How did you become an Elvis fan?

I have been an Elvis fan since I was 5….45 years!

My sister, Alicia, came in our bedroom saying “Hurry Ruth! That guy is on t.v. that momma thinks is so cute!” I followed her & ended up laying on the floor staring at this GORGEOUS creature in Harum Scarum! I never knew a turban could be so sexy!

There are many, many things about Elvis I love! #1 is his drop-dread, out of this world looks! I made a comment at work one time that he literally DRIPPED with sex! It grossed a few out & I was like….gross??? That’s not the 1st thought that came to my mind!!

I love his music! No better singer….ever!!!!!!! The fact that he loved & respected his momma so much! He never forgot his roots OR who gave him this Heavenly voice….our Lord & Savior…Jesus Christ!

Through the years…I figured out what I TRULY loved about Elvis, which is the most important thing! He became a constant in my relationships with my sisters!! We have all 5 loved him, shared him, & appreciated each others love for him! I am not saying we NEEDED Elvis to have a close, loving sister-hood. But we will never know…will we?

I have so many favorite memories of Elvis:

Seeing him in concert for the very 1st time…at the ripe old age of 11…with my sisters! We were finally seeing ELVIS in person!!

Also…Me & my husband taking my sister, Alicia to Memphis for her 40th birthday! We finally got to experience “Elvis Land” together!!!

If I had to pick JUST 1??? I guess it would be seeing him in concert in May of 1977. Little did I know that was the last time I would get to experience the magic of a live Elvis concert. I wish I would have appreciated it more….but I don’t know how I could have??? Again….just as all Elvis memories…my sisters were there sharing that spell bounding night with me & my EP! 

SONG….”Bridge Over Troubled Water” It kind of became my anthem to my sister Alicia! As my older sister….she had been there for me many times in my life. My other sisters had too but Alicia & I shared a closeness that’s hard to explain. When she had went thru some rough times in her life & I got the chance to return the favor (s)….albeit minimal to what she had done….This song was playing as I was thinking of how I could help her like she had helped me. And that’s when I decided…I would always be her “Bridge Over Troubled Water”!

MOVIE….I am assuming you don’t want us to include documentaries??? My all time favorite on screen Elvis was his ’68 Comeback Special! But if you want a Hollywood scripted movie??? “Live A Little….Love A Little” WHY??? He never, ever looked sexier & showed his “manness” like he did in that movie! Well….can I also add “Change Of Habit?” Same reasons!

ruth

 

 

Christi from Moore, Oklahoma (another sister) 

I have been an Elvis fan my entire life. I was born into it-some kids were rocked to sleep with lullabies…for me it was Elvis songs. 

I love his smile, his eyes when he smiles….his gorgeous face…I love how Elvis interacted with people and I love how he has fans being born today 37 years after his death. I love how Elvis bonds friends, sisters, mothers & daughter and families. He is just like no other. 

I did not get to go to an Elvis concert. I do not even have memories of a world that had Elvis living….My favorite memory of Elvis is growing up an Elvis fan, growing up being part of something very special. Being an Elvis fan is special and wonderful-being a Robertson girl is too. Being both is rare and a gift there are only 5 of us in the world.

Favorite movie: Jailhouse Rock, Clambake

Favorite Song:  Love Me, If I Can Dream, One Night, Suspicious Minds, Devil in Disguise

This is too hard and these are not my only favorites at all-there are way  too many!

christi 3

Graceland pics me and my girls

🙂 And a few of my favorites of Elvis!

christi 2christi

 

 

Tommy French, Louisville, Ky. USA.

I have been an Elvis fan since age 14. When Elvis passed away no one in my family listened to Elvis, so I wondered what was so special about Elvis that the entire world was mourning his passing. So, between his death and the winter tv season, there were numerous special about his life that I watched, then in January 1978, I sent off for a Elvis album advertised on tv, and when I got it, the first time I played it, I was hooked, and I knew it would be something that would last the rest of my life. There are many things I love about Elvis. His talent of course. And I can appreciate his 50’s style because he was different, and radical, and his created a new and entirely different style of music. Then, there is his ability to communicate a song in such a way, that everyone listening feels as if he is talking directly to them. I appreciate his willingness to serve his country when called upon to do so. Then, there is the fact that Elvis was a God fearing Christian man, and sought to bring the gospel message of Jesus Christ to his fans. And that he was sincere in that presentation. In his 70’s style, there were several elements I appreciate. One is his sound being created by some of the best musicians ever assembled in one band. His use of the best Southern Gospel quartet in the business at that time satisfies my love of quartet singing. The Sweet Inspirations were great, and his use of an orchestra and the vocals of Kathy Westmoreland satisfies my love of Classical music. Then, Elvis stage outfits, being a combination of Victorian, and Colonial or Georgian style, satisfies my love of that period of history. As far as how Elvis has impacted my life, there have been many lonely periods of my life, my divorce 23 years ago for example. Besides the Lord’s presence in life, Elvis’ music helped take my mind off of the sting of that period. As far as my favorite song is concerned, I have two, I’ve Lost You, and American Trilogy. As far as movies go, I have two favorites, Charro, and Change of Habit, because I feel he showed some great acting ability in each of these two.

 

Auburn “Rusty” Jaquess

I have been an Elvis fan all my life. My sister Evelyn was an Elvis groupie on the 50s.

Everything. The respect he showed others, his charisma, his voice, his impact on my life, etc….

My dad, and JD Sumners were friends for years, and we went to watch the Stamps a lot in the 60s. As you know he became backup for Elvis. Which sets up my favorites memory. Elvis was performing in Ft Worth, Texas. My dad called JD, and told him how big a groupie I had become in the 70s going from concert to concert. JD set it up so I could go backstage with my brother to get his autograph. I was at that moment transported to heaven. Even though the four girls behind me pretty much had his attention.

I lived, and breathed Elvis. I would listen to his records in the morning when I was getting ready for school. If any of his movies came to town, or on TV I couldn’t resist no matter how,many times I’ve seen them. He was always there, and knowing that made life easier. When he passed when I was in college it devastated me for years, and I know I’m not the same person now that I was then.

Favorites song? That is a hard one if I had to choose one I would choose his favorites ” If I Can Dream”. Movie? Again I would choose his favorites ” King Creole”

Rusty Rusty'sfavpic

 

 

 

 

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September 5, 2014 · 4:48 pm

Elvis Presley – Ramblings of a Lifelong Fan – Part 11 – A Quick One

This is going to be brief, but I didn’t want to skip a week. It’s been a very, very busy week. And a sad one. I lost my precious Uncle Peck this morning. He was 95, and he was ready to go, but those he left behind will feel his loss deeply.

 

uncle peck

 

(See, I love him so much, I even posted a pic of him wearing a Sooners cap :))

Also, we learned that my son, Presley, who is twenty-one, has fibromyalgia. That is heartbreaking as well, because he’s such a great kid, such a big-hearted and funny and wonderful young man. I hate the thought of his going through so much pain for the rest of his life. But, we are also extremely grateful, because the doctor was testing him for something more serious, such as possibly ALS. So, while I’m not thrilled about the diagnosis, I’m considering it a blessing.

As always in my life, when times are difficult, Elvis makes me feel better. Therefore, I’ll just share something brief about him. First of all, a funny memory (funny to me). When we were little, I used to tell my sister, Ruth, that when Elvis sang ‘Stuck on You’ he was singing to me because of the line: “I’m gonna run my fingers through your long black hair.” (I had long dark hair). She would get SO mad. 🙂

Now, a beautiful pic:

EP Blue

And, in closing, an amazing performance of Elvis singing How Great Thou Art. This is for you, Uncle Peck.

 

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