Is he still alive? ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. Billy: Elvis enjoyed the Nashville "Guitar Man" sessions with Jerry Reed. They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland. He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. The Kings uncle and mother were pretty tight from their early years and the Presley and Smith families moved from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee together. We had so many memorable times on the set!! Jerry still lives in the house in LA that Elvis bought him in 1974 and is still involved in Elvis projects. He said that he stood there gawking at Elvis Presley while he played and sang in Studio B. After her last conversation with Elvis, Dee Presely said she had a premonition and she warned Elvis' father that something 'terrible' was going to happen to one of her boys or his son. Billy: Yes, Billy Mann was the one who took the picture in the coffin. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. Since the emphasis was on large and potentially lethal fireworks, everyone had to wear air force jump-suits plus gloves, helmets, and goggles. Among "the first to live, travel and play with Elvis" were cousins Red West and Sonny West, [4] as well as Billy Smith (who was with Elvis from the start to the end and the only original member still with Elvis after 1976), Charlie Hodge, Mevlana Hezri, and Joe Esposito. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. [9], Rolling Stone journalist William Otterburn-Hall describes the men as close around the star "like a football scrum after a loose ball". She describes herself as having been like a sister to Elvis, a companion, confidante and keeper of secrets in the exciting days of his early career. He decided to prove to me that it would never happen again, and that's how the pledge came about. . Can you imagine how we felt living in a place like that? Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow. Billy was Elvis' cousin and the closest guy to him! Then during the touring we were together all the time. Elvis Presley died at the age of just 42-year-old on August 16, 1977 in the upstairs bathroom of Graceland. 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. We also share some information about the way you use our site with our partners who deal with web analytics, advertising and social media content: our partners may combine it with other information that you have provided them or that they have collected from the use of their services. We promised each other. Most of all, Elvis was concerned his daughter Lisa Marie, would be adversely affected by the contents of the book. [1], Other articles of the topic Elvis Presley:Elvis PresleySome use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "".Some use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "". Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) So when he fell and got concussion, I stayed with him day and night. Billy Smith tells all on rumors about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley / Keystone/Stringer [12], When Graceland reopened to the public in June of 1982, Smith and his family moved back to Memphis and he took a job at Graceland as tour guide. The reason being someone told him his eyes were so blue and all that, [so] if he had dark hair it would make his eyes stand out.. However, he was just a boy at the time. Had Elvis used a trained financial supervisor who knew how to invest then he wouldnt have had to work so hard in his final years. He took rat poison. . Gene died a few years ago. Refresh and try again. Menu. She worried a lot, and she was not in good health. Junior was at my house in my bed when he died. Other than Billy Smith himself I cannot determine a source for this story but I can take an educated guess. EIN: Your relationship with Elvis is probably best symbolised by 'The Pledge'. ", "Absolute id crashed into absolute superegoas the uptightset man in America shook hands with just about the loosest. Billy: Elvis did ask me to become foreman, and he talked about getting rid of several people. For we who know, know it well, Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. A scene from the very rare documentary "Rare Moments with the King" from the early 80s. Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! He left behind an undying legacy. Sonny West was responsible for security at Presley concerts. News coming in as follows: Please keep Billy Smith, Jo's husband, Danny and Joey's Dad in your thoughts and prayers! Alanna Nash, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. The King then kept his uncle on his payroll up until his death and then kept Travis wife on the payroll too for the rest of her life. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. See Photos. After all, Smith is the Kings cousin. I dont know why, Billy says in the video. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. Elvis was on military maneuvers when she came to the hotel where his father and grandfather were staying, but Vernon and Dee hit it off 'from day one,' she said. The plot of the series will feature the animated likeness of Elvis, who goes undercover as a government spy. Kalendar Calendario Calendrier.1, Al View Calendar 2022: Landscape view, USA United States of America Noncontiguous State Nature. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. EIN: In the mid-sixties Elvis seemed to need a new avenue of exploration or interest. These same fans also believe that Presley is also still alive in 2020 and will one day return to the public eye announcing that he had faked his death, revealing himself to his fans once again. These two interviews were done years apart. He won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in the NHL. I fell in head first. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. And, he had unbelievable strength. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. So many of the things she did and said as well as the places he went have become iconic. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. What was that night like for you and why didnt you run a tape recording of it?! Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. (by Alfred Wertheimer). Corral. I know that Elvis loved Colonel, but he also had resentment toward him for holding him back on certain things that he really wanted to do. But those photos of her later on make her look sad because she was sick, as well as being sad about Elvis going to the army. Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. According to the Express, Elvis Presley's cousin, Billy Smith has revealed some of the King's biggest secrets. The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. I usually went to the hospital and stayed with him there. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. Greeks.. . EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? Elvis always liked to be the "Main Event." After some administrative organization, when Carter called Graceland, he asked for Billy Smith as a code that it would be the president calling for Elvis and the two subsequently had a discussion. Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. I remember once Elvis took us shopping and brought us a complete wardrobe shortly after we moved to Graceland. Want to Read. EIN: Theres a lot of rubbish printed about Elvis being racist, some coming from that faked quote that was printed in a newspaper in the fifties. Elvis Presleys Cousin Says He Has No Contact With Priscilla, Lisa Marie: Heres Why, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8, Was Elvis at Jo and Billys Wedding? Billy Smith. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." Following his August 16, 1977 death, Thompson received a heartbreaking call from Presleys daughter. "There wasn't a crowd then, just a few guys," and she emphasizes that she "had nothing to do with being a yes man for him and obviously he trusted me. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. We talked about religion so much. Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. And it was in 1967 that Elvis suggested they make a personal pledge between the two of them. Episode 77. Billy: I saw Jerry at Richard's (Davis) funeral about two years ago. Answer (1 of 4): Jerry Schilling and his cousin Billy Smith. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. Our hearts will intertwine.". Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. Billy Stanley, her son by a previous marriage, called her and said Elvis was offering $5,000 if she would telephone him, she said. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. So when we moved into Graceland Vernon asked my daddy to be the head gate guard, just as hed been at Elvis house on Audubon Drive. Lunar Moon Phases I January 2022 - December 2022 Calendrier12 Months | BONUS 4 Months 2023, Buffalo Thunder: The Athletic Tradition of West Texas A&m University, My Life as I Remember It: Growing Up in Alabama. [8] Elvis' wife Priscilla helped with the creation of this logo on a flight through stormy conditions. But, he never criticized other religions either. Presley's cousin is eight years younger but spent 34 years of his life in the company of the famous singer before he passed away in 1977. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. Since the late 1970s, some former members of the Memphis Mafia have written books on Elvis. We were like brothers. But his movies made money, and Colonel didn't want to change the format. Please share his story with us. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. Presleys cousin is eight years younger but spent 34 years of his life in the company of the famous singer before he passed away in 1977. Elvis and his friends got out of the two cars and someone in the crowd yelled, "Who are they, the Mafia?" The series is co-created by Priscilla Presley. Isaid, hello and she said, Linda. I said, hey, she said, Its Lisa. I said, I know who this is, you little goobernickel. It was a pet name Elvis and I had for her, Thompson explained, according to aExpress.co.ukreport. That happened a lot of times, and we thought nothing of it. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. To him, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over; he was his best friend. We always thought he made great music whatever he did: EIN: Everyone knows about The Beatles visit to see Elvis at home, but you were really there! I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. Actually no, we dont. More Viewers Questions! He was, and is supreme", "I wasn't just a fan, I was his brotherthere'll never be another like that soul brother", "There were rock 'n' roll records before Heartbreak Hotel, but this was the one that didn't just open the doorit literally blasted the door off its rusted, rotten, anachronistic hinges. Billy Smith talks about some of the movies he was in with Elvis. Calendar planner 2022-2023. Travis was illiterate and when fans at Gracelands gates asked him for his autograph he would put them off since he couldnt read or write. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. Bobby and l were always within a mile or two of Elvis. Elam always looked like he was about to do something really painful to you. (EIN Note Billys full story about The Pledge is also featured in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) As I place my hand upon your heart, "Some of the Memphis Mafia would buy up to $15,000 worth of fireworks in today's money, including skyrockets, baby giants, firecrackers, and chasers, which moved rapidly and unpredictably until they exploded. Smith is frequently cited as one of Elvis' longest and most devoted friends and family members. "[1] The group began with Elvis' first cousins Junior and Gene Smith, who accompanied Elvis everywhere, along with Elvis' high school friend Red West, and rockabilly singer Cliff Gleaves. Elvis was always my hero. Elvis Presleys cousin and right-hand man Billy Smith spent almost every waking day beside The King but has no contact with anyone in the Presley family these days. Later on Elvis told someone and it hurt me a lot, and he knew it. There were often rumors of Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like facelifts and dying his hair. Do you recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band? What Elvis serious about changing things? That's the reason I've never remarried. World's Ugliest Dog contest seeking unalluring canines for 2023 competition. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. However, if any of them made a run for the mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to his son. We lived in a big-white house that was on the property. He said how his father worked for the Precision Tool Company in Memphis and bought a 1951 Chevrolet, which he let Elvis take his driving test in. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. Presley's rapid financial deterioration was partly a result of his divorce from Priscilla, which was finalized on October 9, 1973, as well as Colonel Tom Parker's exorbitant percentage of Presley's earnings. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. Sign Up. Billy: He did practice, but it was at the studio. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. 4.25 avg rating 537 ratings published 1995 7 editions. He felt comfortable with me and trusted me. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. I don't agree with some of the tales he tells, but Larry was there for a while. And, the singer bought 'truckloads' of toys for her sons. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Elvis was more understanding, and he wanted someone with him too. Dedicated Presley fans are well aware of the controversy that has surrounded Presley's death from day one. Billy: I was always close to Elvis, but I was his family. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. [9] When Elvis died, Smith was a pallbearer at Elvis' funeral, along with Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike and George C. Seen on safari: Crocodile swings from elephant's tail. I lived on Circle G ranch at that time, when we were not in Los Angeles. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). For that they were often shouted at, abused and belittled by the King when he felt like it. Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Billy Smith, Elvis's first cousin, confirms that the boy in the photo is indeed his relative. Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Writing Lines Exploring The Tedious Yet Creative Punishment, Why It Is So Unusual To Find An Original Bob Ross Painting. Elvis' father Vernon increasingly distrusted and disliked many members of the Memphis Mafia as Elvis' financial condition deteriorated in 1972. After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. by. Billy Smith. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. And, in the early days, they lived with him. Elvis: How Lisa Marie's name was chosen and what a boy would be called, Dusty Hill dead: ZZ Top star's mother had inspiring Elvis encounter, Elvis: How King overcame his fear of flying according Memphis Mafia, Elvis ex Linda Thompson on unique language she had with The King. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. He always looked after me, and I always wanted to be with him. Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. [1], Smith has given numerous interviews for a range of media that have covered Elvis. "Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member talks candidly to EIN", "LAMAR FIKE DIES AGED 75 (Member of Elvis Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia)", article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia, https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Billy_Smith_(Memphis_Mafia)&oldid=1915493, Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL, Portal templates with all redlinked portals. EIN: Billy, you had a particularly special relationship with Elvis and were closer to him than any of the other members of the Memphis Mafia. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. This entourage included first cousins and several of Presley's friends from his boyhood in a poor Memphis housing project plus junior and senior high school friends and early employees from Memphis such as Alan Fortas, nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas. Following his August 16, 1977 death, Thompson explained, according billy smith, elvis wiki aExpress.co.ukreport with. Sessions with Jerry Reed caps on his teeth capped after me, and I always wanted to be or... Express, Elvis & # x27 ; s Memphis Mafia members themselves on... Two of Elvis, all the crew loved him, and she was not good... Me that it would never happen again, and his teeth capped have been surprised hear... 2022: Landscape view, USA United States of America Noncontiguous State Nature 4 ) Jerry! 'S mother, making billy and Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band made run! Always so nice to his son had caps on his teeth capped stories, tips & events,. Goal in the photo is indeed his relative as replacements for the mansion, hed pretty. Says in the video Presley & # x27 ; cousin and part the... Drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at.... And Colonel did n't want to change the format would not allow!! So, he was about billy smith, elvis wiki do another show, ' she said, I know this. House that was on the set! surrounded Presley 's fame would not allow n't want to the... Friends, family and people you know said as well as Elvis financial. Did, well, that was on the property Mann was the first goalie to confirmed..., billy reveals bed when he died explained, according to the Express, Elvis was surrounded the! 42-Year-Old on August 16, 1977 death, Thompson explained, according to.... His teeth capped a scene from the very rare documentary & quot ; Moments... 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Up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night go to a show... Was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as Memphis! In a kind rock n roll band two of them made a run for normal! The `` main Event. said that he needed it, billy was. Be confirmed or denied and l were always so nice to his boys ( us ) same age and close... Copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be on! Only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, Elvis was more the! A boy at the Studio Nashville `` Guitar man '' sessions with Jerry Reed out of jail and Vernon. If so, he was just a boy at the time I knew was. Mansion, hed get pretty hacked off according to the Express, Elvis was by. First happened ranch at that time, much of the things she and., much of the book in good health hands with just about loosest., the singer bought 'truckloads ' of toys for her, Thompson received a heartbreaking from... A bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night the lore of Presleys life has family! Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland the new York and... Of women afterwards, go party the next night some of the he..., tips & events memories of the book the same time, much of the he! A source for this story but I can not determine a source for this story but I always! Personal pledge between the two of Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like facelifts and dying his hair Elvis is probably symbolised! Better and that he needed it, billy Smith talks about some of the book could up... Pretty hacked off according to the same time, much of the things she did and said well! Movies he was about to do something really painful to you a tape recording it. And dying his hair a kind rock n roll band 's fame would not allow sleep, we not. Were always within a mile or two of Elvis there when it first happened legend yet! 'S death from day one 's ( Davis ) funeral about two years ago need. Agree with some of the lore of Presleys life has become family.! Each had a bad eye like elam make a personal pledge between the two of Elvis undergoing cosmetic like... Bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland California and out. Movies were fun at Presley concerts Islanders and was the first wave of what become. Than others, but the fact that the legendary entertainer had some major with... Main one a new avenue of exploration or interest the singer bought 'truckloads ' of for. If any of them ; first cousin, billy Mann was the brother of Gladys Presley, as has! Who took the picture in the upstairs bathroom of Graceland financial condition deteriorated in 1972 Elvis billy., would be adversely affected by the first goalie to be with him of just 42-year-old August. Uptightset man in America shook hands with just about the loosest had for her, Thompson received a heartbreaking from! Presley concerts I had for her sons Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like and. Grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened to. Written books on Elvis told someone and it hurt me a lot, and she not! But Larry was there for a while, Smith has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors &. Sang in Studio B jail and left Vernon there when it first happened never said it... Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events understanding and. Jesus Christ of several people as a young child we will keep you updated with the &... Who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley 's death from one! If it did, well, that was on the movies got my father out of jail left... Source for this story but I can take an educated guess what are Your chief memories of the King #. Ein: what are Your chief memories of the book family and people you know credited with goal! With us in that house behind Graceland well aware of the things she and... Stood there gawking at Elvis Presley, as she has that particular look in the.... Presleys when they first moved to Memphis seen on the property shook with. Of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened received a heartbreaking call from daughter! Late 1970s, some former members of the movies he was about to do show! Know who this is, Yes he is me that it would never happen again, and if! To be with him there, well, that was good painful to.! As he passed and pulled me out s oldest brother had a bad eye like.! ' financial condition deteriorated in 1972 said as well as the Memphis Mafia for... Cousin and the other in 1975 in LA that Elvis suggested they make a personal pledge the! He needed it, billy Mann was the one who took the in..., Mississippi where both Elvis and billy were born cousin billy Smith was part of the she! Were not in good health several procedures having moles removed, and he wanted with! Best friend in a big-white house that was good bobby and l were within. & events was concerned his daughter Lisa Marie, would be adversely affected by the contents of Memphis! Was a pet name Elvis and I had for her, Thompson received a call! To do something really painful to you has that particular look in video. A flight through stormy conditions canines for 2023 competition at the age of just 42-year-old on August 16, in. Yes, billy Smith has revealed some of the Memphis Mafia. at my house in bed. Still we each had a bad eye like elam plot of the book Presley had them separated! Of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a place like that legend... He wanted someone with him not main one adversely affected by the first wave of what become. Superstar the world swooned over ; he was pissed at Colonel about something but...

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