billy smith, elvis alive

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. He tells variations of this story, often using a line like "the ego flies on Tuesday, baby," in most of his subsequent live appearances. As far as I know, that didn't happen. Fans continue to praise her dignity and discretion, while Elvis' cousin Billy Smith has paid tribute to their devoted relationship and how Linda "kept Elvis alive." So her latest post is. Aug. 16, 2012: Elvis dies in his sleep at Graceland on the 25th anniversary of the first Harmonic Convergence and 35 years to the day after his near-death in Memphis. He raises his hands, and the rain stops on cue. As detailed in the documentary Elvis Presley: The Last 24 Hours, Elvis' final day on earth included a nighttime trip to the dentist in search of prescription drugs, a 4 a.m. game of racquetball with his cousin Billy Smith, and an impromptu piano performance of classics including "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain." He was last seen alive going into . Elvis is alive theories cant go on forever. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father . Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Today, Smith and his family remain haunted by the day of Elvis death. He takes Elvis into the studio to record the first in a series of Elvis Sings the Great American Songbook albums. Elvis was very intelligent. I realized I had done the impossible -- called up Elvis. Countless fans from around the globe have spent hours digging into the deep lore of the Kings life. As I said, everyone had a job to do. It was a very strong bond, and Elvis was the center of it all. Presley said another telephone call years earlier, in 1958, led to her becoming part of the Presley family. Another one of Elviss cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, as legal documents bearing Presleys signature attest. He was my hero.. The medical examiners official cause of death was hypertensive heart disease associated with atherosclerotic heart disease. Elvis weighed at least 250 pounds in his final days, and one Baptist Memorial Hospital staffer told Rolling Stone, he had the arteries of an 80-year-old man. So a massive heart attack isnt exactly far-fetched. EIN: What about Gene Smith, he seemed to come & go within the group? Elvis says, "If you've got a little faith, you can stop the rain.". I can use a little rest," he says. All the guys in our group were extremely close. In an interview accompanying The Beatles Anthology DVD, George Harrison likens a brief 1972 encounter with Elvis at Madison Square Garden to meeting Vishnu or Krishna or something. His hair was black, his skin was tan, and his aura left the Beatle feeling like a snooty little nobody. Harrison may have been hinting at something Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper said rather deftly with their 1987 single Elvis Is Everywhere. Alive or dead, Presley is one pop culture deity well never stop worshipping. ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. On the afternoon of August 16, 1977, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis is said to have purchased a one-way ticket from Memphis International Airport to Buenos Aires. However, he was just a boy at the time. Jerry was always nice to me and my family and to my Mother and Daddy, and I will always remember him for that. EIN: Cousin Billy Mann. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. Two respected Elvis aides, Marty Lacker and Elvis's cousin Billy Smith, say that although the body found slumped in the bathroom of Elvis's Graceland mansion on August 16, 1977 was certified dead, the real Elvis was hundreds of miles away. Back in 1957, having shot to fame, The King moved his extended family into the Graceland mansion. Thats you, thats not somebody else., So he said, I could swap places with this person and nobody would ever know the difference., And I said, Again, I know the difference. Jo added: The thing they dont know is Elvis was not asleep for days and I know that for a fact because a lot of times we were up there with him. Thirty-six years ago Friday, owing to pressures we can hardly imagine and self-indulgences we can imagine only too well, Elvis Presley died. Billy continued: Even when he was in his bedroom he always had somebody there. EIN: And what of Vernon? In the clip, he revealed why he and his family dont visit Graceland anymore. On a final note, Jo added that the family will always cherish their memories with the beloved singer. When news of his hospitalization broke, those close to The King rushed to his bedside, one of these being Presleys cousin, Billy Smith. Express. He deserved to have peace of mind. He had a thirst to learn new things. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. Some Elvis Presley fans may find the animated series an insult to the King of Rock and Roll, while many others could find it very interesting. Whatever Happened To Marla Gibbs, Florence Johnston From The Jeffersons. It hurts. 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. May 29, 2020 A relative of Elvis Presley claims to have had an eerie experience that he suspects may have been a visit from the ghost of the legendary musician. Elviss death certificate will remain under wraps until 2027, 50 years after his passing. A great deal of Elvis is alive intrigue centers on August 18, 1977, the day of Presley's funeral. And maybe some of my grandchildren. I remember them cutting pasteboard to put in their shoes to cover the holes. 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. Smith realized this as he stood slack-jawed watching the King lay down vocals. Smith went on to recall how Presley decided to have his nose trimmed down. I wont ever do it because wed have to, too. He was showing me a picture of himself and he said, Does this look like me?, And I said, Yeah, and he said, Well its not. Being both family, and also a member of the Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith was probably the closest friend that Elvis ever had. Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. But toxicologists found more than 10 drugs in Presleys system, fueling speculation that polypharmacy played a role in his death. As the years went on, Smith then lived with his wife, Jo, on the same grounds. One of the most popular of these is that The King took another identity after swapping places with a doppelgnger who was terminally ill. 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. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. He didnt just go up in his room and not do anything His room up there with his office and all that was big, so. And, he had unbelievable strength. We heard stories about Morning Dove, but not that much talk about her. Elvis enjoyed the Self Realization Park. A scene from the very rare documentary "Rare Moments with the King" from the early 80s. Can you imagine how we felt living in a place like that? Is it going to be crazy? In my life, its been one disappointment after the other in terms of people portraying my father in various films or attempts tobless their heartsbut let me just tell you something. Interview by Piers Beagley - 2006. I mean you were portrayed in the movie, but that parts not what aggravated. I talked to Elvis about hiring Jerry. The Memphis Mafia member then revealed how a joke story he made up about Elvis swapping places was eventually taken seriously in the UK press. So, he watched from a distance. But stranger things have happened. 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. February 1983: A furor erupts when new video network MTV refuses to play Elvis' first video, shot to promote his new cover of Olivia Newton-John's Physical. Also in attendance was Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, who appears at lots of Elvis events with Priscilla. At nearly 800 pages the book is justifiably acclaimed as one of the. Billy admitted: And [for] many years Id always heard these fans saying, Is Elvis still alive?, So many sightings and all this. Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. EIN: Did you always travel with Elvis to film the movies? Sometimes Tracy would stay down there at the gate with Daddy and pretend he was a gate guard. But weeks after the Colonel's death, he announces a one-off concert in London as a gesture to all the foreign fans who had never seen him because Parker was afraid that if he went out of the USA, he'd never get back in. When Presley was rushed to the hospital, Billy Smith and his wife were the first to know. ELVIS PRESLEY's spirit presence is claimed to have been sensed in Graceland's upstairs office by his cousin Billy Smith, who shared in a new interview that he knew it was time to move away having . Speaking on his son Danny Smith's. Reading seemed to have been a major preoccupation of his. He read a lot too. He trusted us. "Boy, that hurts!" Billy Smith with members of the Memphis Mafia in the 1990s (Image: GETTY) Elvis Presley 'is still alive' says Mayor at Graceland event Danny added: "I wanted to be one of the guys." . Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. It won't be the last. He always told me that he loved me. I saw it twice. And yet conspiracy theories have been rife over the years that hes still alive and well at 85-years-old. The series will be an animated (cartoon) titled "Agent King." Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. And Elvis trusted him. During the racquetball game, he accidentally smacks himself on the shin with his racquet. He was my hero. Unless it turns out Elvis is immortal. During the video, Elviss cousin also claimed he would sense the presence of Elvis spirit. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? Billy Smith Interview at MarlowesCheck out the full playlist please LIKE "THUMBS UP" and COMMENT on this video.Check us out on facebook at https://www.facebo. To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. $109,000 lottery jackpot won on Kentucky couple's 44th anniversary. We talked about religion so much. Even towards the end of his short 42 years when he became increasingly isolated, Billy would be spending hours upstairs with the singer in his bedroom, listening to him as he opened up on his more vulnerable side. But, he never criticized other religions either. Hows the actor going to be? At this point, I tell you this with all my heart and its the only reason that Im here: Its been done right.. He's in a lot of those Alfred Wertheimer photos from Elvis trip to New York. Moreover, it fulfills our commitment to. He was there with the rest of the Memphis Mafia when Presley was at his peak. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. THE DEATH ITSELF. When Presley was rushed to the hospital, Billy Smith and his wife were the first to know. Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. During the interview, Billy Smith noted something else he felt the famous rocker would have changed over the years, were he to have lived to the age of 86. Bee Gees producer Albhy Galuten, who presided over the workout-themed releases, is let go, but new producer Barry Manilow is no improvement. Additionally, many of them are more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smith's YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. 'I could. I know this picture is of you and not of somebody else., I never thought about [that conversation] again until after Elvis was dead.. 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. The Beatles were excited about meeting him, but when they first got there they were a little quiet and were just kind of feeling him out. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. The King had packed on a few pounds in his later years, but theres no way he was pushing a half-ton. We were told that she was a beautiful woman. When it was good, it was very good, and when it was bad, it was awful. When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. We have spent days in his room reading and studying. Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. The video has been viewed more than 2 million times on YouTubefar more than the one where a clever Elvis fan debunks the whole thing by chatting with the actual Graceland employee, an affable gentleman named Bill Barmer. Billy lives in Mississippi & is still working as a machine specialist in a steel manufacturing company. A similar case of mistaken identity led to some excitement a few years later, when sports agent Larry Kolb was captured looking uncannily Elvis-like alongside his client (and Elviss pal) Muhammad Ali and Jesse Jackson in a 1984 newspaper photo. June 1988: NBC and Elvis Enterprises announce a TV special for late November, 20 years after Elvis' '68 Comeback Special. EIN: Can you tell us a little about Junior Smith your other cousin? Click here for Part Two: Billy talks about Elvis' Girls, Elvis' Final Years, his relationship with EPE, 'Elvis By The Presleys' and more. Surprisingly, it works as effectively as the star's usual three nightly packets of Seconal, Placidyl, Demerol and several other medications, and he falls into a deep sleep, but he is unresponsive when a nurse tries to awaken him late in the day. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. He said in the clip that he felt him when he stayed upstairs in the house. On the story, he said: It was supposed to be that Elvis swapped places with this guy who had cancer and was dying and Elvis hid him out in the attic until it was time for him to die. Steinman's original song for Elvis, Total Eclipse of the Dashboard Light, fails to hit the top 100. They said Graceland was always decorated for Christmas and food was everywhere during festivities. For reference, the family refers to the fact that fans must pay in order to visit the singers grave. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'. Id get dressed, and Id go out to Graceland. And that will probably be the last time that I would go back to it.. 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"! "Elvis always . At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. What follows is a brief history of why some people refuse to let this American icon rest in peace. Without Elvis, its not home. May 1 (UPI) -- A Kentucky couple had more than 109,000 extra reasons to celebrate on their 44th wedding anniversary when they won a jackpot from an Instant Play lottery game. We have decided that I want to go back through Graceland one more time with Teresa. Aug. 16, 1977: Around 5 a.m., Elvis gets the urge to play a little racquetball, part of the conditioning regimen he has been halfheartedly following to prepare for a tour scheduled to begin shortly. ", "History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono! 1 and spins off a hit single, Elvis and Michael Jackson's unique duet on Heartbreak Hotel, which weaves together the artists' separate, title-sharing hits. Billy: One thing Uncle Vernon was good at was numbers, especially if dollar signs were in front of them! EIN: Elvis was a gorgeous looking man. we were family. He always had a love for music even at very young age. While this may seem like further proof of a cover-up, its actually a matter of Tennessee law. We traveled with him, lived with him.. And I can truthfully say, hes gone. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Did you ever see the bad side of this? Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. These were consistent with the notion that hed faked his own death to escape the public eye (or the mafia, as one theory holds) and return to his humble roots. As for Presleys autopsy report: Its a private family document unlikely to ever see the light of day. The couple emphasised that all this was just their opinion and they didnt want to dissuade fans who like the Elvis movie from seeing it again and again. Needless to say Elvis knew that cousin Billy Mann was the one who failed the test back in 1957). From this day forward, our minds, our souls, Elvis Presley left behind more than a massive collection of hits. Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) He was amazed at some of his findings, and he made sure that we all were aware of them. Elvis purchased Graceland in March 1957, and he of course did not . We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. After all, there are several books and documentaries out there that detail large portions of his life and exploits. Each video honors The Kings legacy, discussing fond memories and a conspiracy or two. At least, he always told me did. Elvis' private late night chat about Lisa Marie with his cousin, Oscars 2023 odds Elvis star Austin Butler gaining on Brendan Fraser, Real reason Elvis found it so hard being alone unveiled by close relative and confidant, Elvis with his Memphis Mafia Billy Smith is on the far left, Elvis death: Last person to see Kings body before casket was closed, Priscilla Presley returns to red carpet after Lisa Maries death, Elvis movie deleted scene from 4 hour version released by Baz Luhrmann, Elvis sang hit song to Priscilla as they left divorce court together, Elvis Presley tops Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra in epic record, Elvis' granddaughter shares how King influenced her as 70s rock star, Elvis 'was never the same' after big change claimed The Beatles. They have a little trouble finding material at first, since Elvis has already sung most of the great American songbook, but they widen the scope to include more recent standards. Elvis, and Billy were close Cousin's even in eight years apart in age. January 1986: Elvis is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's initial class with nine other seminal artists. Bobby and l were always within a mile or two of Elvis. . People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? "I kind of think he would probably still be dyeing his hair but you know he might have left a little grey in it," the King's cousin noted. We lived in a big-white house that was on the property. Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. EIN: In the mid-sixties Elvis seemed to need a new avenue of exploration or interest. Moreover, the quartet stated that there are two main reasons why they may never return to their home. Like I said we had to go to a whole new area. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. It is Elvis' last live performance. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. His cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo have shared some memories. 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. The first time that I saw it I was nervous, I was gripping the chair going like, Oh God, whats going to happen? A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. Since then, Dee Presley has worked as a sales clerk in a department store -- a job she described as 'the best therapy in the world -- and now does public relations in Nashville. That seems very strange. His performance with Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Keith Richards and Paul Shaffer's band on Berry's Promised Land is a highlight, though Little Richard hogs the microphone and Berry tries to upstage Elvis with a prolonged duckwalk. USA TODAY contributor Ken Barnes imagines how his career might have continued. Billy: Well it's true that my father, Travis, went to the penitentiary with Vernon, but Vernon got out of prison a few months before my father because of good behavior. January 1978: To underscore Elvis' new, clean image, the Colonel decides an anti-drug single would be a shrewd move. 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. I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. 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. he says, displaying a nasty-looking welt. And while critics are divided as to the merits of his duet with Astley on Steamroller Blues and Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up the global ratings are astronomical. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. The concert, at Wembley Stadium in May, is a triumph, though marred by hundreds of emergency medical calls to treat elderly fans who had fainted from sheer disbelief that their dream had come true. Billy: Larry Geller was okay. When she and Vernon returned from their honeymoon, Elvis had redecorated their quarters -- even putting pictures on the walls for her three boys. Larry was his hair dresser. We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. In the end, a leather-clad Elvis, looking impressively buff at 53, revisits his classic hits of the late '60s and '70s, including In the Ghetto, Burning Love and Suspicious Minds. Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the Kings headstone. Maybe Elvis figured his acting skills would help him avoid suspicion. EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. Elvis'/Jesse's Hair, rings and . 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. "I turn 60 this month. This story came out, like I said it was supposed to be kind of a joke, but the English paper picked it up and they wrote it as a factual story. . The quartet kicks off the video with a plethora of jokes and laughter. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. He said they were all just alike, basically. 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! Sophie Turner asks for privacy after accidentally posting video of daughter, Judge extends deadline for Georgia DA to respond to Donald Trump motion, NFL Draft: Seahawks, Patriots, Texans winners; Browns, Chargers underwhelm. But what if, by some amazing stroke of fortune, he had lived? He liked real dramatic things", (Marty Lacker in 'Elvis and the Memphis Mafia'), "If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead". We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? 285285 52 shares Share Can you confirm the story? Billy: When the Beatles came, we were all excited about getting to meet them. The cousin of Elvis Presley, Billy Smith, reveals the truth behind Elvis's facelifts, dyed hair, webbed toes, and more through the years. About Elvis Presley, Smith said, When Elvis was on stage, somehow he had a way of bringing you into his world. That was also true when he performed in the studio. Billy Smith: I do remember him singing a lot for the family and different ones. And hed had a face lift to look like Elvis. January 1995: Elvis calls a news conference to announce his retirement from touring. With that, what critics like to call the "Fit Elvis era" is over. A new adaptation of an old Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, retitled Who'll Stop the Rain (I Will), is his first record to miss the charts in three years. Since his wife had never been, he admitted that he would return one final time with her and their grandchildren. Greeks.. . Elvis Presley faked his own death after paying a terminally ill lookalike to be buried in his place, The People can sensationally reveal. I remember once Elvis took us shopping and brought us a complete wardrobe shortly after we moved to Graceland. How did it come about? They engage in minor conversation before getting into sharing their memories of Elvis. 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. When he would get in one of those moods that he wasmelancholy and he would talk to Billy. I fell in head first. And I would hear him calling me.. Elvis Presley: Why the Kings Cousins, Who Lived With Him, No Longer Visit Graceland. And a much-heralded return to rock in the form of the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up is equally unsuccessful. He is surrounded by his . EIN: Did you ever visit the studios for Elvis recording sessions? Please keep Billy Smith in your thoughts and prayers. Billy Smith, is the son of Travis Smith who was the brother of Elvis' Mother, Gladys. Please tell us about it. There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis.

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