Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. So, he watched from a distance. That's the same white house that Elvis and I tore down with the bulldozer to make more room to ride the horses. Marty Lacker states, "Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were far from leeches, hangers on or whatever else they were called. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. . Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. 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. [5], Smith was one of Elvis' closest friends and confidantes, and the two would talk for hours up in Elvis' bedroom at Graceland, even acting out Monty Python scenes. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. He said they were all just alike, basically. We talked about religion so much. Sam Thomson (Linda's brother) who worked security for Elvis though not considered Memphis Mafia so to speak is still around. Please share his story with us. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. 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. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia was originally a monumental 4,000 page oral biography, written after numerous individual and group interviews between Alanna Nash and Memphis Mafia stalwarts, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike. Joe could tolerate Colonel better than some of the others. However, the distance didnt change what he was seeing. 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. While Elvis uncle would drive around Graceland in a three-wheeled golf cart, which had to be charged up every six hours. Calendar planner 2022-2023. Answer (1 of 4): Jerry Schilling and his cousin Billy Smith. He always seemed to want me around him and was very protective of me. After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. Smith would assist Elvis Presley with day-to-day needs at home and would also go on tour with him. We had so many memorable times on the set!! And we were always close, even with the eight year age difference. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. Is he still alive? Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. EIN: Cousin Billy Mann. Do you still see him or have any contact? 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. Three bison escape Maine farm, two recaptured. [19] Each Christmas all Presley employees received bonus checks. He was my hero. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. [citation needed], Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business". To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. In 2007, Sonny West released Elvis: Still Takin' Care of Business, which was a softer look at his relationship with Presley. "[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. Tel: We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize contents and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. 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. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. When he was sick, I usually stayed with him. This article has been curated and verified by, This area provides transparent information about Blasting News, our editorial processes and how we strive for creating trustworthy news. What do you remember of that time and how different was it from life in Tupelo? To him, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over; he was his best friend. I don't know where it came from or if Elvis just made it up. I was actually stupid enough to believe that having the same birthday as him actually meant something", "No-one, but no-one, is his equal, or ever will be. So did Junior! Billy: He was never fond of working. Billy Smith tells all on rumors about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley / Keystone/Stringer Ukrainian drone crashes 60 miles from Moscow, prompting Putin military order, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses re-election bid, concedes defeat, Couples consider third and fourth partners in 'Seeking Brother Husband' coming soon to TLC, Musician Ben Kweller announces death of 16-year-old son. She adored him. Billy: Yes, Elvis was a handsome man. Copyright Elvis Information Network 2006. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. In 2017 Smith was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Nobody checked on him.. 'He was so wonderful. It would be the most historic and brilliant well-kept secrets any celebrity has ever pulled. The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. All our wives were there. 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. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! 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. Elvis Aaron Presley : Revelations from the Memphis Mafia, The Blue Correspondence, Everton Season 1889 - 1890, The Blue Correspondence, Everton Season 1888-89. No, hes not, Thompson continued. Billy: Yes. He took rat poison. He's in a lot of those Alfred Wertheimer photos from Elvis trip to New York. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. This so-called Bodyguard book came from the West cousins and Dave Hebler, fired by Presley's father. 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. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. "[3], 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. After his death, there were still family members living on the Tennessee mansion. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. Did you know of this when you were young and were there any family stories of Morning Dove White your gt-gt-gt-gt Grandmother? I was little, and I was trying to get some bananas out that the man from the fruit stand had thrown away. 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." For both his security needs and touring support, Presley hired people chosen from among those he could trust and depend on to manage his public appearances. 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? Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. Elvis Cousin Billy Smith and his Wife Jo talking about August 16, 1977. It was then that Billy Smith realized that there was something different and amazing about Elvis Presley. Jerry was always nice to me and my family and to my Mother and Daddy, and I will always remember him for that. 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. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, held annually in California, announced applications are now available for owners of aesthetically-challenged canines seeking to prove the unsightliness of their pooches. Billy Smith: I do remember him singing a lot for the family and different ones. You can unsubscribe at any time. Billy Smith. However, he was just a boy at the time. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. 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. News coming in as follows: Please keep Billy Smith, Jo's husband, Danny and Joey's Dad in your thoughts and prayers! Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. He also was Memphis Mafia and he and Jo and Danny and Joey lived at Graceland.. 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. Thats it. [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. [5], Around 1960, the media dubbed these people the "Memphis Mafia". Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. EIN: When you first arrived in Memphis you lived in the same house as The Presleys in Washington Street. [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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Sonny West was responsible for security at Presley concerts. Our hearts will intertwine.". It's no secret that Elvis Presleyhad many relationships throughout the years. That's the reason I've never remarried. Express. [1], Smith has given numerous interviews for a range of media that have covered Elvis. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). In their new home city they shared a house, with the Presleys downstairs and the Smiths upstairs. Billy: Yes, my older brother Bobby died in 1968. The King died in 1977. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. He had the intelligence of a twelve year old but he was a kind man. He made it a good time. People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. That was in 1960. After all, Smith is the King's cousin. He talked about it many, many times, and we all looked forward to the day that happened. 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. ", (Mark Feeney on the 'Elvis meets Nixon' meeting), "especially in the South, they talk about Elvis and Jesus in the same breath", "The image is one thing and the human being is anotherit's very hard to live up to an image", (Elvis Presley, Madison Square Garden press conference, 1972), "Elvis was a major hero of mine. Comments as a week-long observance of the people who were close to him, Elvis was kind! Interviews for a range of media that have covered Elvis consented to to... But he was a handsome man it from life in Tupelo how different was it from in..., especially in the early years room to ride the horses I tore down with Presleys!, the media dubbed these people the `` Memphis Mafia '' NHL Players in history Presley concerts remember! 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