After Elvis died, Smith and his wife Jo moved to Mississippi to be closer to her family. We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. She adored him. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. "It's just a simple word, you see, When Elvis bought Graceland Billys family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Elvis Presleys Cousin Remembers Shocking Sight From the King in the Recording Studio, more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public, they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker, Billy Smith opened up about what it was like. Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. 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. 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. It's no secret that Elvis Presleyhad many relationships throughout the years. 15 distinct works. . Both families were very poor at that time, to the point that the fathers searching for work added cardboard to the soles of their shoes when they wore through. 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. 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. Elvis Presley's cousin Billy Smith reveals singer's most intimate secrets on his cosmetic surgeries, Elvis Presley's cousin reveals singer's most intimate secrets on the singer's surgeries, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck enjoy during family dinner in Malibu, 'Shameless' season 11 spoilers: countdown to saying goodbye to the Gallaghers has begun, Elvis Presley affection once turned down by Mary Tyler Moore, SYFY ends 'The Magicians' with current season 5, Emperor Palpatine is a clone according to upcoming 'Rise of Skywalker' novelization. . Junior was at my house in my bed when he died. At nearly 800 pages the book is justifiably acclaimed as one of the. Express. Answer (1 of 4): Jerry Schilling and his cousin Billy Smith. EIN: Did you always travel with Elvis to film the movies? From this day forward, our minds, our souls, In fact, Billy and his wife Jo lived on the grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years. Billy: I was travelling with Elvis for almost every one of the movies. Travis' son Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin who was a Memphis Mafia member, shared the story of his father in the latest YouTube episode of Memphis Mafia Kid. Jul 10, 2019 - 206 Likes, 7 Comments - elvis aaron presley (@forever.presley) on Instagram: "Elvis's first cousin, Billy Smith with his wife, Jo Smith. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. The publication of the book bothered Elvis on a personal and professional level during the last two weeks of his life. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. A couple of them had been arrested with false prescriptions attempting to collect drugs for Elvis, quite a few had taken physical hits in the service of protecting Elvis and none were paid more than $500 a week. [6][7], At one point, Elvis wanted to speak to President Jimmy Carter about getting George Klein out of some legal trouble. Eight years younger, Billy Smith is the star's cousin on his mother's side. EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? Billy Smith. See Photos. Gene worked for Elvis for a number of years and was one of the original Memphis Mafia members, along with Red West & Junior. Has thanked: 296 times. They stated they hoped their book would "shock" Elvis into seeking medical care away from the physicians who were complicit in prescribing Elvis large amounts of prescription medications and fully resting and becoming "clean" off of these prescribed drugs. 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 said how his father worked for the. This first referred to their image, as they usually cruised the city in black mohair suits and dark sunglasses. In their new home city they shared a house, with the Presleys downstairs and the Smiths upstairs. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. Billy: Yes. I remember them cutting pasteboard to put in their shoes to cover the holes. Smith said, I feel like so many of Elvis fans know exactly what Im talking about. If he had to try to nail it down, he said, I think he put his heart and soul into every song he recorded, good or bad.. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. These two interviews were done years apart. Joe Esposito served as Elvis' chief road manager and personal aide for 17 years. It then gets swung around by the elephant until it lets go. Billy Smith also claims that Elvis underwent two face life procedures, the first one being in 1957, and the second in 1975 just two years before his untimely death on August 16, 1977. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. Do you recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band? He talked about the record to his mother and daddy, and we knew he was going to make one, but when it came out it thrilled all of us. To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. I realized I had done the impossible -- called up Elvis. [citation needed], Elvis Presley reportedly spent days and nights with his friends and employees from the Memphis Mafia. His former wife weeps when she talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? Towards the end of his life Elvis was probably closer to Billy than anyone else and he was one of the last to see him alive. [citation needed], When Parker informed Elvis that the Wests were writing a "tell-all book" about Elvis, which included the disclosure of Elvis' addiction to prescribed pain medications, he was furious as well as "hurt". 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. He made it a good time. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! Elam always looked like he was about to do something really painful to you. "[12] Marty went on to say, "Most of us were not there for the money, we were there because we all cared about Elvis and each other like brothers. In 2007, Sonny West released Elvis: Still Takin' Care of Business, which was a softer look at his relationship with Presley. The son of Gladys' brother Travis, he grew up alongside Elvis and later lived behind Graceland and then became a. Elvis was well known for his incredible generosity and had other extended family members come and live at Graceland with him. When they were all dressed up, they divided themselves into Blue and Red teams, and started hurling fireworks at the other team; Elvis was left with a big scar on his neck from one firework, and one of his friends nearly lost an eye."[24]. It was a good meeting. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. EIN: After Elvis fall & concussion before Clambake, The Colonel demanded that Elvis burn all his spiritual books. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. Over the years, the number of members grew and changed, but for the most part there was a core group who spent much time with Presley. [8] Elvis' wife Priscilla helped with the creation of this logo on a flight through stormy conditions. . Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. 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. "[11] noted Buzz Cason. 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"! [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. and a newspaper reporter picked up the story. For Vernon the book was proof of his long-held distrust and dislike not just of those three but of the whole of the Memphis Mafia "[11] Even George Klein, who chastised and shunned other members of the group for writing books about Elvis, ended up writing a book as well. . Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. All our wives were there. Kalendar Calendario Calendrier.1, Al View Calendar 2022: Landscape view, USA United States of America Noncontiguous State Nature. Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? And, whenever we were able, we always went to see him, especially local. [citation needed], An agreement was not reached, and when Elvis received a copy of the book entitled Elvis: What Happened? This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. EIN: What can you tell us of your Aunt Gladys? But his movies made money, and Colonel didn't want to change the format. [9] When Elvis died, Smith was a pallbearer at Elvis' funeral, along with Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike and George C. 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. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. Billy: Elvis loved to read. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Gene died a few years ago. Smith was part of The King's Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? Among Memphis natives, he was most known for renting out the entire Memphis amusement park Libertyland in order to ride his favorite roller coaster the Zippin Pippin. He always had a love for music even at very young age. Larry was his hair dresser. Hes dead. The only thing that brought it to reality was when she said, Hes smothered in the carpet. And when she said that, I just threw the phone because I thought, Ok, hes gone. Joe Esposito handled money and cross referenced the extensive travel arrangements. [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. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Moreover, it fulfills our commitment to. Nevertheless, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member Billy Smith has shared an insight into the star's lavish bedroom. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. 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. Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2015 1:57 pm. This is [Elvis at home] with his cousin, Billy Smith (left), who's still alive, and Bobby Smith (right), who committed suicide. Billy was Elvis' cousin and the closest guy to him! Log In. Dee Presley said her telephone conversation with Elvis shortly before his death was the first indication she had that something was seriously wrong with him. Nor I him. Presley faced repeated threats of physical violence from outraged moral extremists and death threats from fanatics, as would later happen when he performed in Las Vegas. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. [13] Guralnick adds "The Colonel joked that they looked like a bunch of old men, but the Memphis Mafia had become almost as well known around town as Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack" and that Elvis and his guys were all "living on speed and tranqs". 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