EIN: Is it true that in 1977 Elvis asked you to become Chief foreman and that he considered getting rid of The Colonel once again and even Joe Esposito? Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. But stranger things have happened. In a three-part review of the Elvis movie on their YouTube channel Elvis Fans Matter, the couple did praise Butlers performance but felt the film which isnowavailable to rent or buy on streaming betrayed the music icon on a number of levels. we were family. RCA suggests working with Jim Steinman of Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler fame. Billy: Junior Smith was Gene's older brother and his real name was Carroll. And you place yours on mine. The family sits and discusses Elvis last night, Graceland, and why theyre not satisfied with how some things are currently run. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. All the guys in our group were extremely close. Elvis always liked to be the "Main Event." Three generations of The Kings family were present, from his ex-wife Priscilla and his only child Lisa Marie to the granddaughters he never met in Riley, Harper and Finley. He went to great lengths to make sure that it was kept a jet black color at all times, making his blue eyes stand out. EIN: As most people know, Elvis father Vernon went to jail for forging a cheque. Curiously, director Chris Columbus went into Home Alone having just made Heartbreak Hotel, a 1988 flop about some kids who try to kidnap Elvis. After sharing fond memories of Elvis, the group discussed their animosity toward Gracelands current attractions. He takes Elvis into the studio to record the first in a series of Elvis Sings the Great American Songbook albums. EIN: And what of Vernon? EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. There, he shares some of those stories with the public. 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. Here, in Part One, Billy talks about his family, the Memphis Mafia, the Movie Years, meeting The Beatles and much much more. He wanted to know why I didn't come to Graceland (Elvis's Memphis home) anymore. So when he fell and got concussion, I stayed with him day and night. So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. I think I need to see a Doctor." The Kalamazoo hullabaloo spawned a rash of late-80s Elvis sightings, many of which involved the King doing un-regal things, like pumping gas or buying junk food. Another one of Elvis's cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, as legal documents bearing Presley's signature attest. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. Guide spots rare pink pachyderm in South Africa. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. . Billy Smith and cousin Elvis Presley. Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. In the clip, he revealed why he and his family dont visit Graceland anymore. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? He is surrounded by his inner circle, one of whom anonymously reports Elvis' last words. Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. What Elvis serious about changing things? In Elvis and the Memphis Mafia it is suggested he was the one who took the "coffin" picture. When Presley was rushed to the hospital, Billy Smith and his wife were the first to know. Certainly, he'd require a young beautiful woman to share his bed and tend to his needs even if nothing sexual occurred. EIN: Can you tell us a little about Junior Smith your other cousin? 'It was love at first sight,' she said in an interview. 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. What do you remember of that time and how different was it from life in Tupelo? That is disrespectful to Elvis., Lisa Marie Presleys Late Son Benjamin Keough Officially Laid To Rest At Graceland With Elvis, 75-Year-Old Don McLean Opens Up About Dating A 27-Year-Old. Please keep Billy Smith in your thoughts and prayers. Ghost of Elvis Visits His Cousin? | iHeartRadio | Coast to Coast AM Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. Tuesday, 2nd May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. Elvis Presley private life: Cousin says Graceland was like living at Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) 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"! . Billy: When the Beatles came, we were all excited about getting to meet them. To date, numerous reports say fans believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977, but was placed in witness protection. Elvis'S Former Employees Tell of The "Retirement" of Elvis in 1977 Plans for Elvis to appear solo are scuttled when RCA threatens to withdraw support unlesss its new star, Rick Astley, is included. Billy: Being married was not easy at times. In recent years, Billy Smiths son, Danny, created his own YouTube channel. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. Billy Smith, Elvis' - Elvis Presley fans of Nashville | Facebook One family member of Elvis Presley has revealed just how much work and how far the King of Rock and Roll went to make sure he looked his best. Elvis Presley presence felt upstairs at Graceland by cousin And a much-heralded return to rock in the form of the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up is equally unsuccessful. He was my hero. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). 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. Billy and his wife Jo are still alive and have a YouTube channel called "Elvis Fans Matter" where they talk about Elvis and give some pretty interesting insight into the life of The King. January-May 1997: Colonel Parker dies of a stroke. Interview by Piers Beagley - 2006. We all loved him and had a job to do. Billy: Uncle Tracy had a fever when he was a child, and it caused him to be slow. Today the stars close relative has a YouTube channel with his wife Jo and the couple answers fans questions about their private times with him. Later on Elvis told someone and it hurt me a lot, and he knew it. Interestingly, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member Billy Smith has revealed how The King once told him how he could swap places with a lookalike. This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. However, he cant put his finger on what the X factor was, to this day. Elvis Cousin Billy Smith and his . I had so much respect for him. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? Billy: The pledge came about because we had an incident as kids and were never to talk about it. She also mentioned names of others who weren't in attendance like major girlfriends of Elvis' after he divorced Priscilla Presley. Missing dog found 6 years later, 470 miles from home. . He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. And we were always close, even with the eight year age difference. But, why bust his bubble. It was either the death of Elvis Presley at the age of 42, as more than 80 percent of Americans believe, or the start of the most spectacular disappearing act in the history of mankind. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. Elvis Presleys second cousin replied by saying that he and his family want to keep Graceland in our memories as we lived it and knew it.He added, Its great, dont get me wrong, to go see Graceland if youve never seen it or [to] see it again. Yet, he went on to add that his family had not returned to their former home, calling it not the same anymore. Each video honors The Kings legacy, discussing fond memories and a conspiracy or two. Billy's son, Danny, runs the Youtube channel Memphis Mafia Kid, where the family post . Billy, had a heart attack on January 27th and he had 4 stints put in. After learning that his mother, Gladys, had died, she said she decided to call Elvis and express her sympathy. They said Graceland was always decorated for Christmas and food was everywhere during festivities. Junior was at my house in my bed when he died. January 1980: The tour over, Elvis spends most of his time in the gym. As the years went on, Smith then lived with his wife, Jo, on the same grounds. German man breaks record for assembling Mr. ", "Absolute id crashed into absolute superegoas the uptightset man in America shook hands with just about the loosest. We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. Its like a light switch turned off. Ill remember him and cherish him and love him and all the memories and things of his we have, but I will never ever pay. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'.
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