Billy Stanley, her son by a previous marriage, called her and said Elvis was offering $5,000 if she would telephone him, she said. 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. Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the Kings headstone. It hurts. He said he would see me on his next tour. Aside from his blood relatives, his Memphis Mafia gang of male friends had free rein of the estate and home. Without Elvis, its not home. It's raining, and Billy remarks that he's sick of it. I remember my family went to his house to hear it on the radio for the first time. When Presley was rushed to the hospital, Billy Smith and his wife were the first to know. Sound crazy? But, he never criticized other religions either. A lot of times Billy was with him, just Billy and Elvis. Guide spots rare pink pachyderm in South Africa. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. She was always close to her family, but Elvis was her heart. Do you recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band? Additionally, many of them are more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public. Small alligator found at Pennsylvania wastewater treatment plant. Also in attendance was Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, who appears at lots of Elvis events with Priscilla. EIN: What are your chief memories of the times working on the movies? The cousin of Elvis Presley, Billy Smith, reveals the truth behind Elvis's facelifts, dyed hair, webbed toes, and more through the years. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. "My trainer told me about them it's like getting high from working out.". Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? 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? Traditionally, you cant have a funeral without a death, and what killed the King is another major source of controversy. Potato Head toy in 12.11 seconds while blindfolded. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! 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. During the racquetball game, he accidentally smacks himself on the shin with his racquet. EIN: I know that you were in Nashville for the Guitar Man sessions with Jerry Reed. School principal unlocks dumpster, finds bear inside. The plot of the series will feature the animated likeness of Elvis, who goes undercover as a government spy. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. $109,000 lottery jackpot won on Kentucky couple's 44th anniversary. Its not Elvis. Adding to his wifes statement, Billy Smith said, Graceland didnt make Elvis. Then during the touring we were together all the time. 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 . 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. Hes left the realm of popular entertainers and joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and to some, Jesus. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. Commenting on Billy being portrayed in the biopic, Jo said: It didnt upset you. Since his wife had never been, he admitted that he would return one final time with her and their grandchildren. But, why bust his bubble. Severed hand at side of Michigan highway was a rubber fake. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? He read a lot too. Being both family, and also a member of the Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith was probably the closest friend that Elvis ever had. Elvis fans come from worldwide, they come here, and they have to, if I was a fan, I would, Smith said in reference to touring his cousins home. He said they were all just alike, basically. Elvis Presley: Why the Kings Cousins, Who Lived With Him, No Longer Visit Graceland. However, he was just a boy at the time. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. In fact, there are many new Elvis Presley projects in the works in 2020. 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. These include Linda Thompson and Ginger Alden the latter found his body who have shared their annoyance on social media at being erased from the biopic. So, he watched from a distance. Elvis Presley: How Muhammad Ali inspired The Kings show preparation, Elvis Presley:The King's wife Priscilla senses his 'spirit'. Our lives are like night and day. Express. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. But Ill always love him. 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. EIN: I believe that you brought Jerry Schilling into the group. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. He always told me that he loved me. Greeks.. . Dark skin, dark eyes, and high cheeks. Reading seemed to have been a major preoccupation of his. Then, when the King would take a break, Billy would go get him water. A group of ostriches are caught in the act as they dance around in circles, competing amongst themselves. 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. Im sure theres some way they could sort that out.. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. Did Elvis ever comment to you about the terrible movie-songs - or did you see his bad reactions for yourself? Geldof moves on to the next star on his list. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. He was my hero.. READ MORE:Lisa Marie's lifetime of 'disappointment' cured at Elvis premiere, Jo continued: Whats an invitation? Billy: My father Travis was the first Gate Guard that Elvis had. I'm always looking for another Vernon Presley.'. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. And, in the early days, they lived with him. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Presleys cousin Gene Smith thought the body looked a little strange. 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. EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. Back in 1957, having shot to fame, The King moved his extended family into the Graceland mansion. Elvis had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him. That seems very strange. Did Elvis comment or realise that he was back making great music again, or didnt his feelings turn around until the American Studios sessions? At the very least they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker. EIN: And what of Vernon? That's the reason I've never remarried. Some closer than others, but still we stood up for each other no matter what. But toxicologists found more than 10 drugs in Presleys system, fueling speculation that polypharmacy played a role in his death. 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. Billy: Yes. September 1982: The commercial instincts of the Elvis camp seem increasingly erratic. 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. He lived with us in that house behind Graceland. I remember him as a fun-loving guy and he hung around a lot with Elvis until Elvis went into the army. We also share some information about the way you use our site with our partners who deal with web analytics, advertising and social media content: our partners may combine it with other information that you have provided them or that they have collected from the use of their services. Patrick Lacy, author of the book Elvis Decoded, claims to have debunked this popular and wholly unsubstantiated story by interviewing airport officials and determining that international flights werent available from Memphis in 1977. Back in June, Baz Luhrmanns Elvis movie starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks had a premiere in Memphis, Tennessee at Elvis Presleys home of Graceland. Billy: Being married was not easy at times. 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. Please keep Billy Smith in your thoughts and prayers. Skip to primary navigation; . EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? Gene died a few years ago. He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. When we die, if youre cremated the hole is gonna be the same size for everybody, so take it.. He was amazed at some of his findings, and he made sure that we all were aware of them. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. . Its Graceland. 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 Presley's Cousin Says He Has 'No Contact' With - Outsider Billy and Jo Smith Talking about Elvis early 80s - YouTube When Elvis Presley passed away in August of 77, he was surrounded by family and members of the Memphis Mafia. Footage of the service shows pallbearers struggling to lift a 900-pound copper coffin. He had a thirst to learn new things. The quartet kicks off the video with a plethora of jokes and laughter. Tuesday, 2nd May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Elvis Presley's cousin Billy Smith reveals singer's most intimate The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. Billy Smith - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki But he knew it from memory, and we went over it several times so I could memorize it. I wont ever do it because wed have to, too. There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. 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. We were told that she was a beautiful woman. 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. Billy Smith is the one person who knows Elvis Presley better than And, he had unbelievable strength. He was more upset and mad over the socks. The second major Elvis sighting came in the form of a photo snapped on December 31, 1977. And Elvis trusted him. "Boy, that hurts!" We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. January 1985: Along with most of the day's superstars, Elvis is enlisted to sing a passage on charity mega-single We Are the World. 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. He talked about it many, many times, and we all looked forward to the day that happened. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Billy: Yes, I was with him on many of the recording sessions. After all, there are several books and documentaries out there that detail large portions of his life and exploits. Plans for Elvis to appear solo are scuttled when RCA threatens to withdraw support unlesss its new star, Rick Astley, is included. All the guys in our group were extremely close. Billy, had a heart attack on January 27th and he had 4 stints put in. Billy Smith, Elvis' - Elvis Presley fans of Nashville | Facebook Billy Smith, is the son of Travis Smith who was the brother of Elvis' Mother, Gladys. But Elvis had all kinds of people working for him - black, white, Jews, Italians, Mexicans. However, the upstairs where he died of a heart attack in 1977 was his private space and access was by invite only. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. Potato Head blindfolded. Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. 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. 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. He loved the power of the big voices. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. His stepmother made her comments as a week-long observance of the 10th anniversary of Presley's death got under way in Memphis. Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. I saw it twice. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! Elvis purchased Graceland in March 1957, and he of course did not . 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.. 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. And, the singer bought 'truckloads' of toys for her sons. In two separate interviews, Billy Smith and Marty Lacker each spoke of the faking of Elvis' death.once regarding Elvis' plan to do so and once recounting that it was actually done. It won't be the last. 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. 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. Hows the actor going to be? Elvis family portrayed in movie 'aggravated' not to be invited to And, whenever we were able, we always went to see him, especially local. We have decided that I want to go back through Graceland one more time with Teresa.

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