EIN: What about Gene Smith, he seemed to come & go within the group? Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. Following his August 16, 1977 death, Thompson received a heartbreaking call from Presleys daughter. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. 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. Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow. Click here for Part Two: Billy talks about Elvis' Girls, Elvis' Final Years, his relationship with EPE, 'Elvis By The Presleys' and more. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. Our hearts will intertwine.". Billy: Junior Smith was Gene's older brother and his real name was Carroll. Alanna Nash, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker. The reason being someone told him his eyes were so blue and all that, [so] if he had dark hair it would make his eyes stand out.. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. "[1] The group began with Elvis' first cousins Junior and Gene Smith, who accompanied Elvis everywhere, along with Elvis' high school friend Red West, and rockabilly singer Cliff Gleaves. This is [Elvis at home] with his cousin, Billy Smith (left), who's still alive, and Bobby Smith (right), who committed suicide. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. Priscilla Presley said these employees were paid an average of $250 per week during the 1960s, which rose to $425 per week in the 1970s, however one pay stub does exist that showed a weekly pay of only $35 for the '63-65 era. Billy: Aunt Gladys was a good person. You can hear in his tone, in his measured responses, that he adored Elvis. From an outsiders view she often appears sad, as she has that particular look in the photos after Elvis became famous. They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland. He relates that they were a "friendly bunch" who, when Elvis began to sing just for fun during his interview, followed "suit, singing, clowning, all on their feet". What Elvis serious about changing things? "[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. Countless fans from around the globe have spent hours digging into the deep lore of the Kings life. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. He also tried to distance you all from Elvis by making Joe Esposito head foreman. He had a heart attack and 4 stints put in. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. And you who don't can never tell. Billy: One thing Uncle Vernon was good at was numbers, especially if dollar signs were in front of them! She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." (EIN Note Billys full story about The Pledge is also featured in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) Elvis uncle, who got on well with people, would crowd control the fans and made sure they kept off the neighbours lawns. [14] For Joe Esposito, "it was a party like you wouldn't believe. Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. Nick Adams and his gang came by the suite all the time, not to mention the eccentric actor Billy Murphy, longtime friend of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum". However, he was just a boy at the time. One thing was to tour Europe. No, hes not, Thompson continued. Elvis and Vernon knew how far to push. Colonel tried to get rid of some of the guys but it didn't really have any effect on me. As one of Elvis' closest confidants and a blood relative, Smith has been described as a "wonderful asset to the Elvis Presley fans worldwide."[13]. We were like brothers. 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]. He wanted to know why I didn't come to Graceland (Elvis's Memphis home) anymore. Elvis came up with the phrase after hearing the 1973 hit song Taking Care of Business by the Canadian rock band, Bachman, Turner, Overdrive, also known as BTO. Marty Lacker states, "Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were far from leeches, hangers on or whatever else they were called. We were told that she was a beautiful woman. Elvis was very intelligent. Red West, Sonny West, and Elvis himself felt betrayed, and all parties were reportedly upset over the firings. He was Junior's brother. EIN: In the mid-sixties Elvis seemed to need a new avenue of exploration or interest. We could talk about anything, and we did! And he loved big orchestras. 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. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. I had so much respect for him. EIN: Elvis obviously had a quick temper. But, why bust his bubble. He said they were all just alike, basically. And, he had unbelievable strength. I missed a few due to sickness in my family. More Viewers Questions! He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. He wanted stronger roles. To him, Elvis was more than the superstar the world swooned over; he was his best friend. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. When Billy was old enough he started working with the Memphis Mafia team. EIN: Elvis was a gorgeous looking man. Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. She adored him. Etrnals 2022 Calendar: OFFICIAL Calendar 2022, TV series & movie films calendar 2022-2023. Bobby and l were always within a mile or two of Elvis. He had his expressions and he even had a bad eye like Elam. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. He said how his father worked for the. Another game was called the 'Whip' game. [citation needed], Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business". We all loved him and had a job to do. Sign Up. So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. EIN: When you first arrived in Memphis you lived in the same house as The Presleys in Washington Street. Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. 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. But Elvis never confirmed them. He never betrayed me again. We were all handpicked by Elvis, and he was very protective of us. News coming in as follows: Please keep Billy Smith, Jo's husband, Danny and Joey's Dad in your thoughts and prayers! Billy: Yes, Elvis was a handsome man. TV Shows. The son of Gladys' brother Travis, he grew up alongside Elvis and later lived behind Graceland and then became a. But Elvis had all kinds of people working for him - black, white, Jews, Italians, Mexicans. . He had the intelligence of a twelve year old but he was a kind man. Billy Smith is one of those great sources of Elvis Presley information. Elvis death: Is Gracelands upstairs preserved just as King left it? 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. The plot of the series will feature the animated likeness of Elvis, who goes undercover as a government spy. 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. All our wives were there. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. Billy: We were at Rocca Place at that time. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." Do you still see him or have any contact? 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. 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. He won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in the NHL. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. . Billy Smith Elvis Cousin is a billionaire and one of the world's wealthiest individuals. Sonc Coloring Book: 100+ Sonc Coloring Pages for Boys, Girls, Kids, Ages 4-8, Ages 8-12, Adults to Relax and Have Fun, Great Gift Idea for Sonc Fans! Photo above - Junior Smith in New York with Elvis & his date. The King died in 1977. By accepting "all cookies", including profiling cookies, in addition to supporting our free offer, you will receive advertisements in line with your interests. . Presley's rapid financial deterioration was partly a result of his divorce from Priscilla, which was finalized on October 9, 1973, as well as Colonel Tom Parker's exorbitant percentage of Presley's earnings. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. Check us out on facebook at. It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. ", (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. Billy Smith was Elvis first cousin, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest brother. Dark skin, dark eyes, and high cheeks. "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Three bison escape Maine farm, two recaptured. A lightning bolt flashed across the sky in front of them, and Elvis took inspiration from it. Error rating book. However, the distance didnt change what he was seeing. Since the late 1970s, some former members of the Memphis Mafia have written books on Elvis. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. The next night from it Jesus Christ & movie films Calendar 2022-2023 become! Have written books on Elvis have any contact first arrived in billy smith, elvis wiki you lived in the century. One of the Kings Memphis Mafia team by Piers Beagley for ein, January 2006,! ) anymore intelligence of a twelve year old but he was a woman! 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