He was more upset and mad over the socks. . This article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? Most of all, Elvis was concerned his daughter Lisa Marie, would be adversely affected by the contents of the book. Junior was at my house in my bed when he died. He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. Elvis had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him. July 4, 1956. [citation needed], In numerous press conferences concerning Elvis: What Happened?, both of the West cousins stated they wrote the book in part to make Elvis realize that his dependence on prescription medications was (literally) killing him. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. Smith claims that Elvis was always hardest on himself when it came to how he looked, adding that if Elvis thought it would make him better, he did it. The Beatles came to Elvis' house at 525 Perugia Way in Bel Air, and we all sat around and talked, and they were extremely nice. Been thanked: 730 times. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. In 1957, The King bought Graceland and moved his family onto the gated property where Travis was the first guard. Dee and Vernon Presley remained friends after their divorce, she said, and might have gotten back together someday if he had not died in 1979. Nor I him. See Photos. It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. I was always close to Elvis even as a young child. Elvis and Vernon knew how far to push. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? Message in a bottle travels more than 185 miles in Australia. He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. Billy: Yes, Billy Mann was the one who took the picture in the coffin. Tapir briefly escapes enclosure at Florida zoo. "[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. Joe Esposito served as Elvis' chief road manager and personal aide for 17 years. He relates that they were a "friendly bunch" who, when Elvis began to sing just for fun during his interview, followed "suit, singing, clowning, all on their feet". He took rat poison. Moreover, it fulfills our commitment to. 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. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Authorities in Maine said one bison remained on the loose Tuesday after three of the animals were seen running loose on a road Monday. [4], In high school, Smith was a wide receiver on the football team. He decided to prove to me that it would never happen again, and that's how the pledge came about. EIN regularly gets asked questions relating to Billy Smith & his life with Elvis, so we sincerely thank him for taking time out of his busy life for this long interview. I know now he was trying to tell me something -- it was a most touching goodbye.'. Red West, Sonny West, and Elvis himself felt betrayed, and all parties were reportedly upset over the firings. Recently, Billy Smith opened up about what it was like watching Elvis Presley work in the studio back in 1958. Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. When she and Vernon returned from their honeymoon, Elvis had redecorated their quarters -- even putting pictures on the walls for her three boys. Elviss cousin grew up with him in Tupelo, Mississippi and says that it could be true. Billy says that Elvis likely got them separated since people often take that route. 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. When The King became famous in 1956, the family had moved to Audubon Drive where they asked Travis to be a guard out front. Elvis uncle, who got on well with people, would crowd control the fans and made sure they kept off the neighbours lawns. I talked to Elvis about hiring Jerry. People named Billy Smith. Elvis death: Is Gracelands upstairs preserved just as King left it? He deserved to have peace of mind. After all, Smith is the King's cousin. Billy: I don't remember anything about him practicing with Johnny Burnett or his brother. Countless fans from around the globe have spent hours digging into the deep lore of the Kings life. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'. We heard stories about Morning Dove, but not that much talk about her. Sometimes Tracy would stay down there at the gate with Daddy and pretend he was a gate guard. See Photos. READ MORE:Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message. As I place my hand upon your heart, But, he has a sharp memory. [18] Esposito and Lacker were Presley's best men at his wedding. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. I remember my family went to his house to hear it on the radio for the first time. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. We were like brothers. He craved the attention of someone who adored him without the threat of sexual pressure, much as a mother would." There were often rumors of Elvis undergoing cosmetic surgery like facelifts and dying his hair. Billy Smith. Want to Read. EIN: Do you remember when Elvis started complaining about the quality of his movies going downhill? EIN: And what of Vernon? During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. [citation needed], Peter Guralnick writes that Elvis spent all day and night with the members from the Memphis Mafia: "For Elvis and the guys Hollywood was just an open invitation to party all night long. Moreover, when approached by Vanity Fair, several Elvis experts attested to its seeming. Did you ever see the bad side of this? During the June 9 to June 13 event, Presleys cousin Billy Smith and The Kings former girlfriend Linda Thompson were in attendance. While there is no living person that has spent more time with Elvis, Billy and Jo say they have no contact with Priscilla, Lisa Marie, or any other member of the Presley family. When he was sick, I usually stayed with him. "Elvis's idea of an exciting game was that it should be as dangerous as possible", such as the game that involved fireworks. They were a big family and Elvis lived in a "milieu of a protective brotherhood. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two weeks before his death, a sobbing Elvis Presley told his stepmother, 'I'm in terrible pain' -- a cry for help Dee Presley says will haunt her until she dies. I lived on Circle G ranch at that time, when we were not in Los Angeles. Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. Billy: Elvis was southern, and so he joked sometimes. [6][7], At one point, Elvis wanted to speak to President Jimmy Carter about getting George Klein out of some legal trouble. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. More Viewers Questions! No, hes not, Thompson continued. Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. The author also mentions other functions of the guys: "various members of the Memphis Mafia had played vital roles in keeping Elvis' numerous dirty secrets out of the public eye. 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. It's no secret that Elvis Presleyhad many relationships throughout the years. Billy lives in Mississippi & is still working as a machine specialist in a steel manufacturing company. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). Was he really as lazy as often portrayed - and can you comment on your quote (in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) that "Vernon always wanted more of everything, except responsibility"! Incredible as it sounds that after more than four decades since his passing that details surrounding Elvis Presley are still one of the most sought after and popular topics. 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. Billy Smith. Thats it. Elvis Presleys Graceland upstairs bedroom: Kings hilarious habit, Elvis Presley: Ann-Margret learned King was dead after touching gift, Elvis: How King looked after illiterate uncle when he was too ill to be a Graceland guard, Elvis' uncle Travis Smith, the first Graceland guard, Elvis Presleys generosity 'is thanks to little-known relative Noah', Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message, Elvis: Priscilla Presley tribute speech at Graceland Candlelight Vigil. So he decided to have it trimmed down and thats what they didwhich made him lookgod! But stranger things have happened. Smith realized this as he stood slack-jawed watching the King lay down vocals. There were two teams, and the object of the game was to knock over as many members of the opposing team as possible by any means." Elvis and Billy were both born in Tupelo, Mississippi, before their families moved to Memphis, Tennessee. She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." However, the best sources for information about Elvis Presley are the people who knew him while he was alive. Billy: Elvis loved to read. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. Only Billy and Jerry are still around from those in th. In fact, Billy and his wife Jo lived on the grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years. I remember once Elvis took us shopping and brought us a complete wardrobe shortly after we moved to Graceland. Did Elvis understand? We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. He said it would teach him a lesson. [10] According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." Billy says that the first facelift Elvis got wasnt a facelift to him. He says, Elvis did not like the flare in his nose at that time, how wide it was. When Smith became old enough he worked for Elvis as well as a member of the Memphis Mafia, eventually living at Graceland separately from his family. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Animal control officers in New Jersey said seven sheep found running loose after an apparent slaughterhouse escape will have a new permanent home at a sanctuary. Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. Billy Smith. Billy: Yes. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Serial world record breaker David Rush reclaimed a Guinness World Records title when he threw and caught a fire sword 135 times in 1 minute. . 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