Here, in Part One, Billy talks about his family, the Memphis Mafia, the Movie Years, meeting The Beatles and much much more. Blasting SA, IDI CHE-247.845.224, Via Carlo Frasca, 3 - 6900 Lugano (Switzerland) Billy is in the far left of this photo. Billy Smith: I do remember him singing a lot for the family and different ones. Actually no, we dont. Some closer than others, but still we stood up for each other no matter what. "Elvis Presley is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow. They've been married for years. READ MORE:Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message. Dictionary.com adds 'hellscape,' 'woke' and 311 other new terms. 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. Billy: Junior Smith was Gene's older brother and his real name was Carroll. "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. Elvis tried to see to it that we all worked in his movies. The interesting part will not be the cartoon itself, but the fact that the Elvis character is working undercover as a government spy. He only worked a couple of places before Elvis became famous, unlike Aunt Gladys who had worked at several places before Elvis became famous. What did you see of his personal quest at the time and his visits to the Self Realization Park? At least, he always told me did. EIN: And what of Vernon? Stephanie-Billy Smith. Junior looked like the actor Jack Elam. This page was last edited on 16 March 2015, at 17:35. People named Billy Smith. GIFTS, Decor for Classroom, 18 monthly. To hear more about Billy Smiths time growing up with Elvis Presley back in the day, take a look at the interview video below! The King died in 1977. 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. When it was good, it was very good, and when it was bad, it was awful. 15 distinct works. After his death, there were still family members living on the Tennessee mansion. 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. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? Top. 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? While Elvis uncle would drive around Graceland in a three-wheeled golf cart, which had to be charged up every six hours. We grew up around him and moved to Graceland as young teenagers. One thing was to tour Europe. Billy: Larry Geller was okay. This so-called Bodyguard book came from the West cousins and Dave Hebler, fired by Presley's father. . They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Georgia came to the rescue of a dog who fell into a storm drain and ended up stranded about 12 feet underground. Tel: We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize contents and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. [8], In the last year of Elvis' life, he became more reclusive and withdrawn, along with abusing medications. When Elvis Presley shot to fame he needed security so ended up hiring his mother Gladys brother, Travis Smith, to be his first Graceland guard. Menu. See Photos. 'I could hardly understand him because he was crying,' she said. 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. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. As the years went on, Smith then lived with his wife, Jo, on the same grounds. Did Elvis ever comment to you about the terrible movie-songs - or did you see his bad reactions for yourself? He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. It was a good meeting. 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. "[12] "They all had jobs to do so that Elvis could do his and as far as being there for the money, that's laughable because there really wasn't much in that area to be there for. Billy: I was travelling with Elvis for almost every one of the movies. He won four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders and was the first goalie to be credited with a goal in the NHL. Elvis and Vernon knew how far to push. Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. She said that before Elvis's death, she had a strong feeling a tragedy was looming. Aunt Lavelle and Uncle Tracy looked like their Daddy . Can you confirm the story? I spoke to him about how sorry I was and he invited me to coffee.'. At the same time, much of the lore of Presleys life has become family history. It is quite a stretch, but imagine if it were true. . See Photos. He trusted us. Red West, Sonny West, and Elvis himself felt betrayed, and all parties were reportedly upset over the firings. Since the emphasis was on large and potentially lethal fireworks, everyone had to wear air force jump-suits plus gloves, helmets, and goggles. This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A Michigan woman said a Powerball ticket found forgotten in the pocket of her husband's coat turned out to be a $1 million winner. For that they were often shouted at, abused and belittled by the King when he felt like it. He had the intelligence of a twelve year old but he was a kind man. We took our kids with us so it made it a lot better. Sign up for a free 30 day trial at the link to listen to unlimited music on Amazon Music! Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. 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. All our wives were there. The series will be an animated (cartoon) titled "Agent King." 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. From this day forward, our minds, our souls, The Memphis Mafia was the nickname given by the media to a group of Elvis Presley's friends, associates, employees and cousins whose main functions were to accompany, protect, and serve Presley from the beginning of his career in 1954 until his death in 1977. Billy: Being married was not easy at times. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? Kalendar Calendario Calendrier.1, Al View Calendar 2022: Landscape view, USA United States of America Noncontiguous State Nature. (2002) Live in Las Vegas is a four-disc box set by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, released in July 2001 on RCA Records, catalogue 07863 69354-2. It comprises live recordings from shows given by Presley in Las Vegas through every decade of his career. Was it talked about within the family or was it a surprise for you when your cousin was suddenly on the radio? Billy Smith was just a kid but he knew that he was witnessing greatness. [citation needed], Elvis Presley reportedly spent days and nights with his friends and employees from the Memphis Mafia. 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. Photo right - Actor Jack Elam, a regular bad guy actor in westerns of the 1950s and 1960s including Gunfight at the O.K. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. With Barbara Hearn listening to playback. He was more upset and mad over the socks. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. 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. The author also mentions other functions of the guys: "various members of the Memphis Mafia had played vital roles in keeping Elvis' numerous dirty secrets out of the public eye. The Kings uncle and mother were pretty tight from their early years and the Presley and Smith families moved from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee together. He said how his father worked for the. 'It was a very strange telephone conversation. Elvis was well known for his incredible generosity and had other extended family members come and live at Graceland with him. See Photos. These original Memphis Mafia members at the time the phrase was coined were cousins Sonny West,[7] and Red West, as well as Billy Smith, and Charlie Hodge, among others. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. ", "History has him as this good old country boy, Elvis is about as country as Bono! [25] Elvis had "even offered the publishers money not to go ahead with it. Nichopoulos. [1] Contents 1 Playing career He was my hero. "[12], The Memphis Mafia had specific jobs. I realized I had done the impossible -- called up Elvis. . EIN: Do you remember any build up to Elvis recording his first record or practising with Scotty Moore & Bill Black? He wanted stronger roles. He said it would teach him a lesson. Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. [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. 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." 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. Nor I him. According to the Express, Elvis Presley's cousin, Billy Smith has revealed some of the King's biggest secrets. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Before I write one more word, I want it clearly understood that after the interview in the British We always thought he made great music whatever he did: EIN: Everyone knows about The Beatles visit to see Elvis at home, but you were really there! Billy: The pledge came about because we had an incident as kids and were never to talk about it. 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. I lived on Circle G ranch at that time, when we were not in Los Angeles. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Additionally, many of them are more than willing to share a little Elvis knowledge with the public. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Elvis Presleys Graceland upstairs bedroom: Kings hilarious habit, Elvis Presley: Ann-Margret learned King was dead after touching gift, Elvis: How King looked after illiterate uncle when he was too ill to be a Graceland guard, Elvis' uncle Travis Smith, the first Graceland guard, Elvis Presleys generosity 'is thanks to little-known relative Noah', Elvis anniversary: Girlfriend Linda's beautiful new message, Elvis: Priscilla Presley tribute speech at Graceland Candlelight Vigil. Do you still see him or have any contact? The group there any family stories of Morning Dove White your gt-gt-gt-gt Grandmother Girlfriend! Junior Smith was just a kid but he was my hero last from beginning to end of the 1950s 1960s! When you were young and were there any family stories of Morning Dove your... West cousins and Dave Hebler, fired by Presley in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California hung. 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