Believers of this bizarre theory contend that a 55-year-old Presley turned up in the background of the scene where Catherine OHaras character is stuck at the Scranton airport while trying to get home to her son. 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. Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. So down to earth. Its almost like, youre not good enough, youre not sophisticated enough, youre not their Hollywood type, you dont need to be there. Well, all those people had as much right as any of the rest of the family to be there. Additionally, some of Elvis family and friends would live on the property, including his cousin Billy Smith and his family. The series is co-created by Priscilla Presley. She worried a lot, and she was not in good health. . 285285 52 shares Share So have issues concerning official paperwork. It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. Wellings daughter later spied him scarfing Whoppers at Burger King. 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. When Elvis Presley passed away in August of 77, he was surrounded by family and members of the Memphis Mafia. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. What follows is a brief history of why some people refuse to let this American icon rest in peace. When news of his hospitalization broke, those close to The King rushed to his bedside, one of these being Presleys cousin, Billy Smith. Billy: Yes, l remember when he was discouraged about the quality of his movies. Did Elvis ever comment to you about the terrible movie-songs - or did you see his bad reactions for yourself? He takes Elvis into the studio to record the first in a series of Elvis Sings the Great American Songbook albums. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. Later on Elvis told someone and it hurt me a lot, and he knew it. When he lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death, Presley had an open-door policy with his Memphis Mafia. 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? Late August 1977: "I dreamed I died," Elvis will tell reporters later, "and I was headed toward a pure white light, but something sent me back. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. That means we've got maybe another 40 years of stories about the King chilling in Argentina or sipping coffee at Tim Hortons or doing whatever you do as an elderly man whos been in hiding since the Carter Administration. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. Elvis enjoyed the Self Realization Park. But The Colonel tried to get information out of us all. 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 inner circle, one of whom anonymously reports Elvis' last words. That seems very strange. In a new video, one asked: Why do you think it was so hard for Elvis to be alone?, Initially, Jo said: I dont know. EIN: Whats your earliest memory of Elvis? 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. Its not his home. In addition to Elvis absence, the family suggested their disdain for the way Graceland controls access to Elvis grave. In Elvis and the Memphis Mafia it is suggested he was the one who took the "coffin" picture. 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. producing.no propelling, an unstoppable, fundamental and primordial shift in not only musical, but social, political and cultural history", "Elvis, the musician, is largely a relic belonging to the baby boomer generationElvis, the icon, is arguably one of the most potent symbols of popular culture", "It [rock & roll] was always about Elvis; not just because he was Elvis, but because he was the big star", "If they had let me on white radio stations back then, there never would have been an Elvis", "Elvis loved opera, and he especially liked Mario Lanza. 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. And he loved big orchestras. We lived in a big-white house that was on the property. However, many of the people who were close to him are still here. Elvis was always my hero. All the guys in our group were extremely close. 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. . Elvis Presley: How Muhammad Ali inspired The Kings show preparation, Elvis Presley:The King's wife Priscilla senses his 'spirit'. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? So, he watched from a distance. On stage at the special screening, The Kings only child said: I do want to say that I feel so honoured to be a partof this. He said he would see me on his next tour. Episode 11. She said that before Elvis's death, she had a strong feeling a tragedy was looming. Potato Head blindfolded. Now it was a known fact among the guys that Elvis couldn't keep a secret, but if it was really important, he did. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! His cousin Billy Smith and his wife Jo have shared some memories. Billy: Junior Smith was Gene's older brother and his real name was Carroll. He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. 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. The general confusion surrounding these and other jargony cause-of-death explanations has undoubtedly helped to foster conspiracy theories. It was a good meeting. 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. I fell in head first. Express. But stranger things have happened. Dedicated Presley fans are well aware of the controversy that has surrounded Presley's death from day one. Billy: When the Beatles came, we were all excited about getting to meet them. However, the distance didnt change what he was seeing. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. 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. Speaking on his son Danny Smith's. 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. Aside from his blood relatives, his Memphis Mafia gang of male friends had free rein of the estate and home. Today, Smith and his family remain haunted by the day of Elvis death. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. Then during the touring we were together all the time. Currently, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel. Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? But he knew it from memory, and we went over it several times so I could memorize it. The theory here is that Elvis used the incorrect spelling to signal fans that he was still alive. Elvis Presley: Why the Kings Cousins, Who Lived With Him, No Longer Visit Graceland. 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. So I thought, Well yknow people are holding on to that., So I made this story up, me and Marty Lacker [another Memphis Mafia member]., DON'T MISSElvis Presley's bodyguard on TERRIFYING motorbike ride with The King[INTERVIEW]Elvis Presley pilot CAUGHT sleeping in his bed: Guess King's reaction[INTERVIEW]Elvis Presley will: Who did Elvis leave his HUGE fortune to? Columbus and Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin laugh about the theory in the DVD commentary, but the identity of the extra remains unknown. "Elvis always . For some reason, I always looked up at his office window because I felt like he was calling me and he was looking out the window. However, he felt more at ease once Elvis was buried. 6. It was then that Billy Smith realized that there was something different and amazing about Elvis Presley. Unfortunately, it never came to pass. EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. Please share his story with us. However, some close friends and family of The Kings were nowhere to be seen. It hurts. But why couldnt you also have the privilege of going to the graveside free of charge? 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. School principal unlocks dumpster, finds bear inside. The Memphis Mafia member and his wife Jo joined Elvis and his girlfriend Ginger Alden for racquetball around 3:30 a.m. the night before Elvis died. 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. A lot of times Billy was with him, just Billy and Elvis. Click on the topic that interests you to follow it. And, in the early days, they lived with him. 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. (by Alfred Wertheimer). Elvis Presley faked his own death after paying a terminally ill lookalike to be buried in his place, The People can sensationally reveal. He raises his hands, and the rain stops on cue. Billy: Elvis was southern, and so he joked sometimes. And he cant bring him back.. Danny replied to a user who asked: Would you rather go back and visit Graceland or keep it in your memories? In response, Danny said, Ill just speak for the family because weve talked about it many, many times.. 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. So did Junior! When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. November 1980: Plagued by cost overruns and whispers of illegal kickbacks, the Elvis Workout project is shut down before any of the centers actually open. Without Elvis, its not home. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. What do you remember of that time and how different was it from life in Tupelo? November 1977: In an exclusive interview with People, Elvis confesses that he became a little too dependent on "the pills" but says he's now drug-free and feeling better than ever. We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. ", (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. Then, when the King would take a break, Billy would go get him water. That broke the ice, and after that, they talked for hours. Certainly, he'd require a young beautiful woman to share his bed and tend to his needs even if nothing sexual occurred. 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. EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. EIN: I believe that you brought Jerry Schilling into the group. Uncle Vernon and Daddy looked for jobs and they even wore out the soles of their shoes. 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. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Elvis cousin Billy Smith, the last surviving original Memphis Mafia member, knew The King before he was famous and was with him in the Graceland upstairs bathroom just hours before the star died there of a heart attack on August 16, 1977. Jo said how people often point out the star spending days in his bedroom, but she dispelled one rumour surrounding this. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis . To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. May 1 (UPI) -- A dog brought into a West Virginia animal shelter was found to have been missing for 6 years from a Virginia home 470 miles away. Billy: Yes. He had to get in the studio and cut a few singles while he was home. Elvis always liked to be the "Main Event." ", "History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono! 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. Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) 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. I know this picture is of you and not of somebody else., I never thought about [that conversation] again until after Elvis was dead.. Is it true that your Aunt Gladys had the same temper? July 1985: The Colonel had been persuaded, reluctantly, to see the benefits of Elvis' singing on We Are the World, but when Bob Geldof approaches him about Elvis performing at Live Aid, the enigmatic manager tells him, "Sure thing. The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. He would watch The Student Prince which was set in Heidelberg, over and over again. 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. Theres also the question of why the most famous man on the planet would risk going into a public place in his hometown in order to book airfare for the purpose of faking his own death. And maybe some of my grandchildren. How this got started was we actually talked one night of Elvis changing places. A group of ostriches are caught in the act as they dance around in circles, competing amongst themselves. 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. We were like brothers. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. But, he has a sharp memory. "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. . Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. As the years went on, Smith then lived with his wife, Jo, on the same grounds. They said Graceland was always decorated for Christmas and food was everywhere during festivities. He always had a love for music even at very young age. That was a lot different and I remember that it took a while for everyone to get jobs, and one of my daddy's cousins stole all the money we had, and my daddy's new socks. When asked to check his ego at the door, Elvis pauses, nods his head and says, "Yep, it's still there!" There, he shares some of those stories with the public. Elvis is alive theories cant go on forever. Hows the actor going to be? . Was it talked about within the family or was it a surprise for you when your cousin was suddenly on the radio? 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. . Click here for Part Two: Billy talks about Elvis' Girls, Elvis' Final Years, his relationship with EPE, 'Elvis By The Presleys' and more. And, of course, Ive heard this over the years now and I decided this is time to get this all cleared up because this is just not right. Elvis Presley talking with newmen in Memphis, Tennessee after his discharge from the Army, 1960 / Everett Collection. And the records get worse: The last straw is a cover of Culture Club's Karma Chameleon. Elvis was still alive on June 18, 1990 without a doubt. January-May 1997: Colonel Parker dies of a stroke. "The Memphis Mafia" was with Elvis almost twenty-four hours a day, at least one or two of them. Each video honors The Kings legacy, discussing fond memories and a conspiracy or two. What was his relationship like with Elvis? I didnt know what to expect. $109,000 lottery jackpot won on Kentucky couple's 44th anniversary. An ill-advised follow-up single, a disco-style cover of an old Stevie Wonder song with the title changed to Work Out, Elvis, Work Out, fails to reach the top 100. During the June 9 to June 13 event, Presley's cousin Billy Smith and The King's former girlfriend Linda Thompson were in attendance. DON'T MISSElvis movie erased major girlfriend: I saved his life many times[ELVIS MOVIE]Elvis agreed with Linda on reason that marrying Priscilla was mistake[LINDA THOMPSON]Elvis Week 2022: Graceland announce virtual tickets for global fans[ELVIS WEEK 2022]. EIN: After Elvis got back from the army and you married your wife Jo, how did you balance your months in Hollywood with your relationship back home? On the other hand, by clicking only on accept strictly necessary cookies, you will receive non-targeted advertising whose number and repetition will not be limited. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. 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. It's raining, and Billy remarks that he's sick of it. We promised each other. I will never forget that night and I know Elvis really liked them. So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. Elvis Cousin Billy Smith and his Wife Jo talking about August 16, 1977. During the video, Elviss cousin also claimed he would sense the presence of Elvis spirit. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. 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. 'It was a very strange telephone conversation. 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. "It's just a simple word, you see, And I would hear him calling me.. Did Elvis understand? At least, he always told me did. The less he had to think about that better he felt. He said they were all just alike, basically. He made it a good time. It would be the most historic and brilliant well-kept secrets any celebrity has ever pulled. Im not really 81, says Barmer, who then compares himself to a Pokmon Go character. It is Elvis' last live performance. 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. EIN: As most people know, Elvis father Vernon went to jail for forging a cheque. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). Elvis'/Jesse's Hair, rings and . However, the staff revives him, and when he regains consciousness, he tells his buddies: "I had the strangest dream .". Elvis releases a disco-style cover of Jackie Wilson's Baby, Workout, which rises to No. They engage in minor conversation before getting into sharing their memories of Elvis. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. When he would get in one of those moods that he wasmelancholy and he would talk to Billy. And, the singer bought 'truckloads' of toys for her sons. Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. 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 . 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. Whatever Happened To Marla Gibbs, Florence Johnston From The Jeffersons. 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. . He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. His former wife weeps when she talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father. We traveled with him, lived with him.. 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? She was always close to her family, but Elvis was her heart. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! Billy Smith said that he knew there was something special about Elvis Presley the first time he watched the King work in the studio. As for Presleys autopsy report: Its a private family document unlikely to ever see the light of day.