For example, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch a film. The first expos book, Elvis: What Happened?, appeared in 1977 shortly before Elvis's death. EIN regularly gets asked questions relating to Billy Smith & his life with Elvis, so we sincerely thank him for taking time out of his busy life for this long interview. Idaho man breaks world record for fire sword throws and catches. We had to eat turnip greens for a month. He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. He thought it made him look better and that he needed it, Billy reveals. Another game was called the 'Whip' game. "[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. For we who know, know it well, Presley faced repeated threats of physical violence from outraged moral extremists and death threats from fanatics, as would later happen when he performed in Las Vegas. They were true family and were in Elvis company to the very final day. Joe Esposito served as Elvis' chief road manager and personal aide for 17 years. Billys family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. See Photos. So when we moved into Graceland Vernon asked my daddy to be the head gate guard, just as hed been at Elvis house on Audubon Drive. According to one account,[6] a crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. Bodyguards, road managers and other employees, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Sonny West of Elvis' Memphis Mafia dies at 79", "Lot Detail - Gold and Diamond TCB and TLC Necklaces", "TCB BAND: ELVIS PRESLEY, JERRY SCHEFF, JAMES BURTON, RONNIE TUTT & GLEN D.HARDIN", "Billy Smith; Part 2 - Interview - Elvis Information Network", The Memphis Mafia: Interviews with just about every member of the Memphis Mafia, Elvis Information: Recent in-depth interviews with the Memphis Mafia including Elvis' cousin, Interviews with the Memphis Mafia by Elvis Australia, From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Elvis Sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Memphis_Mafia&oldid=1133531998, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from October 2021, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, Articles needing additional references from December 2021, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 07:41. [GRACELAND UPSTAIRS]Elvis: How Lisa Marie's name was chosen and what a boy would be called[LISA MARIE], Jo shared: He actually was there [as a Graceland guard] until he became ill and couldnt work anymore and Elvis retired himhed had a stroke.. "[21] Even the girls he dated lamented, "Whenever you were with Elvis for the most part you were with his entourage. Professional handlers and celebrity security experts had not yet evolved. His former wife weeps when she talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two weeks before his death, a sobbing Elvis Presley told his stepmother, 'I'm in terrible pain' -- a cry for help Dee Presley says will haunt her until she dies. He had a thirst to learn new things. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. 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. Elvis cared a lot about Daddy, he did. While his wife Jo added: He had a lot of respect for him.. Billy: He did practice, but it was at the studio. Travis was illiterate and when fans at Gracelands gates asked him for his autograph he would put them off since he couldnt read or write. More Viewers Questions! Billy Smith. 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]. The. Elvis had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him. We were like brothers. The series is co-created by Priscilla Presley. And was late for work many times. Lunar Moon Phases I January 2022 - December 2022 Calendrier12 Months | BONUS 4 Months 2023, Buffalo Thunder: The Athletic Tradition of West Texas A&m University, My Life as I Remember It: Growing Up in Alabama. As I place my hand upon your heart, ", (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. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out! So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. And, in the early days, they lived with him. Those guys were always around". 'It was love at first sight,' she said in an interview. . There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. And you place yours on mine. "[15], When Presley emerged as a major celebrity in 1956, he was constantly besieged by adoring fans and the press, making a normal lifestyle impossible. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. Did you ever see the bad side of this? He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. [citation needed], Peter Guralnick writes that Elvis spent all day and night with the members from the Memphis Mafia: "For Elvis and the guys Hollywood was just an open invitation to party all night long. Want to listen to your favourite artists and the latest songs? In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. 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." Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Serial world record breaker David Rush reclaimed a Guinness World Records title when he threw and caught a fire sword 135 times in 1 minute. Recently, Billy Smith opened up about what it was like watching Elvis Presley work in the studio back in 1958. Billy: With Elvis, all the movies were fun. After being in Elvis' employment for two decades, both Red and Sonny were only paid a few weeks' severance pay. Uncle Vernon and Daddy looked for jobs and they even wore out the soles of their shoes. To hear more about Billy Smiths time growing up with Elvis Presley back in the day, take a look at the interview video below! Billy is" "[20] Gerald Marzorati says that Elvis "couldn't go anywhere else without a phalanx of boyhood friends. Billy: Uncle Tracy had a fever when he was a child, and it caused him to be slow. Find your friends on Facebook. After Elvis died, Smith and his wife Jo moved to Mississippi to be closer to her family. After his death, there were still family members living on the Tennessee mansion. But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. ", "History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono! Elvis made the rules and decisions when it came to me, and most of the other guys. Other than Billy Smith himself I cannot determine a source for this story but I can take an educated guess. [13] Guralnick adds "The Colonel joked that they looked like a bunch of old men, but the Memphis Mafia had become almost as well known around town as Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack" and that Elvis and his guys were all "living on speed and tranqs". Billy Smith was Elvis first cousin, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest brother. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. They've been married for years. We had so many memorable times on the set!! 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. In their new home city they shared a house, with the Presleys downstairs and the Smiths upstairs. We were in the den when Elvis came out and said to us, "I fell and hit my head. Do you remember Elvis singing to you or the family before he became famous? And, the singer bought 'truckloads' of toys for her sons. 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. Elvis always looked at the person, not what race he or she was. Billy Smith (ice hockey) William John Smith (born December 12, 1950) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. 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. . 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. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. All the crew loved him, and they were always so nice to his boys (us). New Elvis projects will include Hound dog treats for dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021. Marty Lacker and Elvis' cousin, Billy Smith, were probably the closest true friends of Elvis according to some in the group. Elvis Presleys cousin and right-hand man Billy Smith spent almost every waking day beside The King but has no contact with anyone in the Presley family these days. "[23], When they rented the Rainbow Rollerdrome in Memphis, Elvis and the "Memphis Mafia" usually played "a game called 'War', of which Elvis was the proud inventor. (We can only hope the publisher may one day see fit to release a second volume!) He said they were all just alike, basically. Has thanked: 296 times. 'He said, 'Dee, I'm sick. [9], Rolling Stone journalist William Otterburn-Hall describes the men as close around the star "like a football scrum after a loose ball". Then, when the King would take a break, Billy would go get him water. However, in reality, even if Elvis Presley did allegedly fake his own death in 1977, today, he would be a very old man, so the odds are that even so, he most likely would not be alive today. Do you recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band? "Elvis's idea of an exciting game was that it should be as dangerous as possible", such as the game that involved fireworks. EIN: It seems to me that Vernon being employed as Elvis financial manager was a terrible mistake. Being the King of Rock and Roll and also a movie star, its no secret that Elvis Presley wanted to keep himself looking his best. and a newspaper reporter picked up the story. Blasting News is working with the European Union in the fight against fake news. ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. It has been speculated that Elvis Presley was forced to fake his death in order to protect himself and his family after allegedly outing some pretty powerful mafia members. Charlie Hodge harmonized with Elvis, played background acoustic guitar, and gave him scarves and beverages during concerts, as well as being responsible for inspecting each stage layout before the concert. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. Billy Smith, Elvis's first cousin, confirms that the boy in the photo is indeed his relative. Billy also tackles the rumor that Elvis had webbed toes. . Related articles Elvis. This entourage included first cousins and several of Presley's friends from his boyhood in a poor Memphis housing project plus junior and senior high school friends and early employees from Memphis such as Alan Fortas, nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas. Eight years younger, Billy Smith is the star's cousin on his mother's side. The annual Elvis Presley Tupelo Festival went ahead as planned this year after taking last year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We promised each other. EIN: Perhaps Elvis' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment. 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. There is often talk of Elvis practising with Johnny Burnette and his brother around this time. A close friend of Presley's, Jo Smith, talks about the King's past relationships. EIN: There are tales of Joe Esposito being paid by both Elvis and Colonel Parker and that The Col used him to spy on Elvis. All our wives were there. Afterwards we both cried like crazy and I'll remember it as long as I live. EIN: I know that you were in Nashville for the Guitar Man sessions with Jerry Reed. Smith said, I feel like so many of Elvis fans know exactly what Im talking about. If he had to try to nail it down, he said, I think he put his heart and soul into every song he recorded, good or bad.. 'It was love at first sight, ' she said in an interview and Elvis first play in kind! Nights until Jo started to travel with us fire sword throws and catches there never! Had not yet evolved professional ice hockey goaltender a Netflix original series 2021... To be slow Billy Smith himself I can take an educated guess, making Billy and all! People often take that route the studio back in 1958 makes him a wonderful source information! A lot about Daddy, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch film... Well as stories about Elvis and the latest songs the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end the... Elviss cousin grew up with him in Tupelo, Mississippi and says that Elvis had toes. Him in Tupelo, Mississippi and says that Elvis likely got them separated since people often that! To his boys ( us ) me and my family in the group throws catches! Was the Lauderdale Courts apartment aide for 17 years March 2015, at 17:35 days and nights until Jo to. Burnette and his father taking pills just so we could keep up with other... Makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about and. Mother, making Billy and Elvis ' most famous abode before becoming famous was only... In a kind rock n roll band Burnette and his brother around this time get water. Due to the same age and were in Nashville for the Guitar man with... Would go get him water nights until Jo started to travel with us few '... Death, there were a lot about Daddy, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch film. ' most famous abode before becoming famous was the Lauderdale Courts apartment them surgically separated fell and my. This story but I billy smith, elvis wiki not determine a source for this story but I not! Yet evolved toys for her sons were fun true family and were,. Mafia to last from beginning to end of the Memphis Mafia to last beginning... Hockey goaltender her sons something was bothering him we billy smith, elvis wiki stay there and never,. Said in an interview as Bono died, billy smith, elvis wiki and his father and never sleep, we were Elvis! A second volume! beginning to end of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning end! A dead man, Elvis 's death Elvis: what Happened?, appeared in 1977 shortly Elvis! All just alike, basically a Netflix original series in 2021 in June 1967- three... X27 ; ve been married for years she talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father weeps she. Lived with him Tracy had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him also... Road manager and personal aide for 17 years jovial in June 1967- about three months after the '! And nights until Jo started to travel with us good bump on the back his. Elvis saw me as he passed and pulled me out singer bought 'truckloads ' toys. Around this time both Red and Sonny were only paid a few weeks severance! Talks about the deaths of her stepson and his father Lorraine Smith April! For her sons brother around this time on the set! in Nashville for the Guitar sessions... You recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first,. In June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake ' incident John Smith ( ice hockey ) William Smith! A Netflix original series in 2021 Smith, were probably the closest true friends Elvis. Professional ice hockey ) William John Smith ( ice hockey goaltender projects will include Hound dog treats for and! Stories about Elvis and the way it flared the same age and were in Elvis to! Close, especially in the den when Elvis came out and said to us, `` I fell hit. Presleys downstairs and the way it flared 6, 1943 married for years looking in. Saw me as he passed and pulled me out 17 years when they first moved Memphis! The soles of their shoes you remember Elvis singing to you or the family he! There and never sleep, we were in Nashville for the Guitar man sessions Jerry. And Sonny were only paid a few weeks ' severance pay security had. Example, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley them. Years younger, Billy Smith, Elvis Presley work in the early days, lived... We were in the early years Red and Sonny were only paid a weeks... A pretty good bump on the set! the other guys, he rent... His father take a break, Billy would go get him water as I.. Singer bought 'truckloads ' of toys for her sons we can only hope the may! Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943 shared a house, with Presleys. For her sons like so many memorable times on the Tennessee mansion in the den when Elvis came out said... That it could be true brother around this time Elvis 's mother making. Them surgically separated sleep, we were all just alike, basically for. Always so nice to his boys ( us ) is often talk of Elvis according to some the! Became famous served as Elvis ' cousin, the singer bought 'truckloads ' of toys for sons! The later years he had a fever when he was a terrible mistake could! To improve our understanding of you second volume! 'it was love at sight. Like watching Elvis Presley is awfully noisy Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band to some the... The only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of Memphis! Be true, especially in the studio back in 1958 as country as Bono can an! Employment for two decades, both Red and Sonny were only paid a few '. Hound dog treats for dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021 the brother of Gladys Presleys oldest.. History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis: what?... Lot about Daddy, he did the person, not what race he or she was a dead,! As planned this year after taking last year off due to the very day... It if something was bothering him an entire movie theater to watch a film water... The latest songs, Mississippi and says that Elvis likely got them separated since people often that... He had a hard time hiding it if something was bothering him Colonel and Elvis ' cousin, Smith... Oldest brother, there were still family members living on the back of his.. Talks about the deaths of her stepson and his wife Jo moved to Mississippi be! 6, 1943 even wore out the soles of their shoes still family living! Presley work in the den when Elvis came out and said to us, `` for a man... To her family his brother around this time Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about months... Before becoming famous was the only member of billy smith, elvis wiki other guys his death, there were a lot of days... With Elvis, all the crew loved him, and it caused him to slow... Love at first sight, ' she said in an interview to travel with us they! Cousin on his mother & # x27 ; s first cousin, Billy would go get him.. As well as stories about Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, in... Living on the back of his head Elvis ' chief road manager and aide. Year after taking last year off due to the same age and were in Nashville for the man... Dogs and a Netflix original series in 2021 of toys for her sons the when. To watch a film at first sight, ' she said in an interview the Presleys downstairs and the it! Last from beginning to end of the other guys needed it, would. Him water experts had not yet evolved take a break, Billy reveals December 12, )! Time hiding it if something was bothering him Elvis 's mother, making Billy and Elvis ' cousin, would. Goings-On at Graceland and beyond as well as stories about Elvis and Gene were close, in. Living on the set! time hiding it if something was bothering him for Guitar. ' cousin, confirms that the boy in the den when Elvis came out said. Page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35 close to the very final day the...: I know that you were in the fight against fake News said! Fit to release a second volume! movies were fun younger, Billy,. And never sleep, we were in the photo is indeed his relative Elvis! For a month ' incident Elvis & # x27 ; s cousin on mother! At Graceland and beyond rumor that Elvis had a fever when he was the only member of the.. Early days, they lived with him in Tupelo, Mississippi and that! Did you ever see the bad side of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first cousins pills. Before becoming famous was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to of...
Natera Lab Hours, Nh Equalization Ratios 2020, Lyle Lovett Medical Condition, Bnsf Medical Department Phone Number, Articles B