Billy Smith - Elvis's first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother - Marty Lacker - best man at his wedding and foreman of the 'Memphis Mafia', the King's handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants - and Lamar Fike - the touring crew member who accompanied him into the Army - were with Elvis . He spent most of his time holed up in the elaborate den nicknamed the "Jungle Room" for its exotic decor of his Memphis compound Graceland. A veteran policeman turned deceased rock star investigator has spoken of a mysterious photo that convinced him Elvis Presley is not dead. Elvis always tried to improve his looks. Billy also mentions that Elvis also had caps on his teeth and facial blemishes removed. SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO, Elvis begged girlfriend Anita not to expose Priscilla affair, Kiss: Paul Stanley confirms the end for the band 'Time to stop'. 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 turn, many in Elvis' entourage believed Ginger to be nothing more than a gold-digger. Judgement day each of us will answer. So, the house, in a way, has been home to Elvis' legacy for twice as long as it was home to Elvis.. In her new documentary, Between Hell & Hallelujah, Wynonna Judd shares how members of the country music community supported her following the death of her mom. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. Billy added: Graceland didnt make Elvis, Elvis made Graceland.. Oh boy thatthatgot to me. FOX 8 REPORT 2008, FOX 8 May 24, 2004 Elvis/Jesse Dr. Hinton update to 2002 report, FOX 8 May 24, 2004 very brief excerpt from the reportdetails the DEA investigation and result, YOUTUBE VISIT MY CHANNEL FOR MORE DOCUMENTATION. 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." 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. Several members filled practical roles; for instance, they were employed to work for Presley as bodyguards or on tour logistics and . 4.25 avg rating 537 ratings published 1995 7 editions. Always the night owl who slept through the day, The King and his girlfriend Ginger Alden had called up the Memphis Mafia member and his wife Jo around 3:30am for a game of racquetball. Ewan McGregor Is In A Happy Relationship With Mary Elizabeth Winstead After The End Of His 22 Years Long Marriage! Billy Corgan found Lisa Marie Presley's death "really hard". In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. We havent been in contact with any of them., DON'T MISS'Elvis DIDN'T want to marry Priscilla' so why did The King do it?Elvis and Blue Hawaii star 'We lived together. Following Elvis funeral at Graceland on August 18, 1977, his body was buried next to his mother Gladys, who had died in 1958, at Forest Hill Cemetery. "That was our life. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. Elvis used to sit in Billys room and chat for hours. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Thats no disrespect thats just how we feel Why couldnt you also have the privilege of going to the graveside free of charge? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heres what you want to know about Rosie Tenison, Engaged! In December 1976, after a brief courtship, the singer gave her a $70,000 engagement ring an expenditure that many thought was more for show than actual sentiment. But it's "She Thinks I Still Care" that is regarded by many to be Elvis' finest latter-day moments, illustrating a man trying to move on while trapped in the role tailor-made for him and revealing, according to Rolling Stone, "a real-life glimpse into the life of an increasingly isolated man.". Following his August 16, 1977 death, Thompson received a heartbreaking call from Presleys daughter. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. Elvis' last live gig was on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis to a crowd of 18,000 fans, according to LiveAbout. However, though Dr. Nick was charged with 11 felony accounts of overprescribing drugs, he was acquitted the medical examiner claimed that Elvis had died of heart disease, adding, "Had these drugs not been there, he still would've died.". Elvis just fainted.' Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. A MAN SO LOVED TRIBUTE SONG FOR ELVIS/JESSES 80TH BIRTHDAY, CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS INDEX OF PAGE LINKS. The controversies are in the past, and he has a new outlook along with plans for a box set of unreleased Zwan . It was Rhee who gave Elvis his animal name "Tiger Man." Footage for a planned karate movie financed by Elvis. Elvis's grandson, Benjamin Keough, was also laid to rest there last July after he took his own life in a tragic accident. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. Early on, these were heavily pushed by his manager, the infamous "Colonel" Tom Parker, who many believe swindled the naive young Elvis while running him ragged. "a.Billy Smith said that Elvis had a nose job in 1957/8.b.Billy Smith said Elvis had a face-lift 1975. ", Even Tish lives with pain surrounding Elvis' death, which she said came as "a complete shock" to her. Smith went on to . About 6 a.m. Elvis and Ginger retired to Elvis' bedroom after playing racquetball with Billy and Jo Smith. He added: His presence was so strong while he was alive I guess it carried over even after his death. After 50 years, Aerosmith is bringing an end to their days as a touring act. Elvis was awarded the 8th degree black belt by Rhee there on Sept. 16, 1974. She says, 'Come upstairs, I need help. "You always think there was something you could have done, that he might still be alive today. I dont know how you can look any better, but he did., RELATED: Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Elvis also dyed his hair jet black often. His hip-swinging antics might seem tame to today's audiences, but when he first emerged as a pop star, Elvis introduced millions to rock's inherent sexuality. Elvis is buried in the Meditation Garden of Graceland to this day. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Speaking with Elvis expert Billy Stallings Spa Guy, Joey said he remembered he was watching a movie called The Naked Prey at home when the phone rang. There were rumors afloat that Elvis had resorted to cosmetic surgery to have some great exceptional looks of his time. Just nine-years-old, she ended up hanging out with Joey up at his treehouse there. Replacing Linda was actress Ginger Alden (above), a woman 20 years Elvis' junior. The King's cousin Billy Smith was present when he heard the . That is disrespectful to Elvis.". As a boy, he remembered: I started crying because I knew something was wrong and I thought my grandmother Lorraine Smith had passed away or something was wrong with her. Both Elvis and his cousin were born in Tupelo, Mississippi before their families later moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Will the children of Lisa Marie Presley be able to attend grandfather Elvis Presleys 85th birthday celebrations in Memphis! Always the night owl who slept through the day, The King and his girlfriend Ginger Alden had called up the Memphis Mafia member and his wife Jo around 3:30am for a game of racquetball. 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 and Jo returned home before receiving a phone call just hours later that Ginger had found Elvis dead on the bathroom floor around 1:30 p.m. the same afternoon. After Elvis died, Smith and his wife Jo moved to Mississippi to be closer to her family. Aerosmith Announces Farewell Tour: Its Time For One Last Go, Wynonna Reveals How Faith Hill Helped Her Following Naomi Judds Death, VIDEO: Farmers Bull Gets Pelted By Giant Hail In Recent Texas Storm. Following their 1973 split, and Elvis' untimely death in 1977, things only slid further downhill for Priscilla and Lisa Marie. The setlist included many of his classic hits like "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as newer numbers like "Hurt" and his cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Recently, Billy Smith who is the cousin of the late Elvis Presley addressed these rumors and threw more light on them. National Enquirer picture of Elvis Presley in open casket shredded Jun 23, 2008 - The original photo of the famous National Enquirer picture of Elvis Presley lying in his open casket was shredded during a six-year anthrax 2010. Appearing on SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show', he said: "She was . Few if any figures in rock and roll history are as timeless or controversial as Elvis Presley. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." Copyright LindaHoodSigmonsTruth.com May, 2009 2020 All rights reserved. DON'T MISSElvis Presley death: Research finds drug abuse didn't kill him[ELVIS DEATH]Elvis Presleys 86th birthday celebrated by Linda Thompson[ELVIS BIRTHDAY]Elvis: Benjamin Keough paid tribute to at King's Graceland birthday[ELVIS GRANDSON], Joey added: Its a memory I wish I could erase as well as something I wish I could go back and change.. These were gripped by paranoid obsessions and Billy used to remember business magnate Howard Hughes who had OCD on hearing the anecdotes of Elvis. But how true are these rumors? And to my knowledge, I dont ever think Ive seen my Daddy cry like that before., He remembered Billy telling his mother Jo: Hes gone Jo hes gone. Additionally, some of Elvis' family and friends would live on the property, including his cousin Billy Smith and his family. Benjamin died on July 12, 2020 at 27 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. She died Dec 30, 1976, so I'm guessing Elvis paid for the funeral expenses since she is so close in proximity to Gladys' grave at Forest Lawn Elvis had another cousin, Bobby Smith, brother to Gene who was very close to him. Billy and Elvis grew up together in Tupelo, Mississippi. "The phone rings intercom," said Joe Esposito, foreman of the Memphis Mafia. He lived on the grounds at Graceland with his wife Jo and sons Danny and Joey. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis. "One of the maids picked up the phone, and it's Ginger. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. Nichopoulos. Smith is frequently cited as one of Elvis' longest and most devoted friends and family members. When Elvis Presleypassed away in August of '77, he was surrounded by family and members of the Memphis Mafia. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. Moving away didn't help much because soon after Elvis Sr.'s death, rumors about his infidelities and love children started going around in the media. 52 shares. So for the "fans" who blame Elvis alone for how he declined and died, I say shame on you. To hear more about Billy Smiths time growing up with Elvis Presley back in the day, take a look at the interview video below! He was depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. I dont know, youd have to ask them. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. Moody Blue, released in February 1977, was a mix of live recordings and new studio tracks, containing two of Presley's most widely regarded songs. Speaking with Elvis expert Billy Stallings Spa Guy, Joey said he remembered he was . The couple answered fans questions recently on their YouTube channel Memphis Mafia Kid. Billy is arguably one of the last people ever to have a conversation with Elvis. Most worrisome to his record label, RCA, was that the King had become entirely uninterested in going into the studio and recording. You may right click on the below copies of the article to open the images in a new tab where you may use the magnifier to open in large print for easier reading. Sure, Elvis will always be remembered for "Jailhouse Rock" and "Can't Help Falling In Love With You", but these final tracks are a testament that even lonely, depressive Elvis had a message that would resonate with audiences for years to come. Elvis, who was set to fly to Portland, Maine that evening for a string of concert dates, said: This is going to be the best tour ever., Billy replied: All of them to me are great. They were not allowed to take the trailer that Elvis had purchased for them that they had lived in on the Graceland property. I knew he was dead.". Meanwhile, though his adoption of African-American musical traditions is a bone of contention for many listeners today, in his heyday it was a powerful way to put non-white rhythms in front of segregated audiences. When Elvis asked for sleeping pills during his final hours, it was she who told his private doctor where to find them, and she regrets not being there as he died. Joey admitted that to this day if his father thinks about it too deeply he starts crying. Want to Read. Travis was the brother of Gladys Presley, Elvis's mother, making Billy and Elvis first cousins. Jo said how Elvis was the centre of their lives and how they dont like going back to Graceland today. Following his death in 1977, Graceland was left to his only child Lisa Marie and the Memphis mansion was opened as a museum to the public in 1982. Former NFL player Chris Smith has died. [1], Other articles of the topic Elvis Presley:Elvis PresleySome use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "".Some use of "" in your query was not closed by a matching "". Billy, is reportedly recovering well. Along with his wife Jo, he and their two sons lived in a trailer in the back yard. Back in 2018, he shared the sad story in more detail on his brother Danny Smiths YouTube channel Memphis Mafia Kid. Elvis used to dye his hair black and Billy revealed the reason: 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.. His father is Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and nephew to The King's mother Gladys who had died in 1958. Danny and Joey Smith discussed the matter during an . 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Billy Smith is not only Elvis' first cousin but a former member of the singer'sinner Mafia circle. She also opened up about the devastating phone call relaying his death to her. This was especially true during the last year of his life, when he was deep in his chemical dependency and had left behind many of the loyal friends of his youth. Smith spent most of that year with Elvis, even when Elvis had begun pushing others away. Billy also admitted that even now he feels like he senses Elvis presence over 40 years after The Kings death. Jo said: "He was the centre of our life, you know. Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. For more of these throwback videos, check out our YouTube Channel! [11] Smith went on to work at the Illinois Central-Gulf Railroad as a maintenance man. Elvis' only child was just 54 when she died Thursday, reportedly after suffering cardiac arrest at home in Calabasas, California. Billy Smith was an administrative aid to Elvis Presley, as well as Elvis' first cousin and part of the Memphis Mafia. "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." Hes dead. The only thing that brought it to reality was when she said, Hes smothered in the carpet. And when she said that, I just threw the phone because I thought, Ok, hes gone. Before Elvis Presley passed away on August 16, 1977, he spent his last night and early morning with his cousin Billy Smith. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his daughter, Katie Springer. At the time, neither Elvis nor Billy had any inclination that The King would die in the same room merely seven hours later. All three shake their heads. Without Elvis, its not home. Getty Images / Michael Ochs Archives, Memphis Mafia Kid / YouTube. According to Billy Smith, Elvis was influenced by the Beatles. It was but natural that he wanted to look the best. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. Throughout Elvis' career, he was surrounded by a crew of friends, hangers-on, and enablers that were casually dubbed the "Memphis Mafia." While many of Elvis' loyal fans refused the buy the biography upon its initial release in May 1977 in the UK and late July in the US the King's death soon thereafter, and the revelation that many of the book's stories were painfully accurate, turned it into one of the most successful Elvis books of all time. According to Rolling Stone, that was when producer Felton Jarvis had a game-changing idea: If Elvis wouldn't go to the studio, they'd bring the studio to Elvis. Billy, had a heart attack on January 27th and he had 4 stints put in. Theyd probably been out., READ MORE:Dolly Parton plans to record and release her Elvis Presley song LISTEN, Joey continued: I get the phone call and it was [another of Elvis cousins] Patsy Gamble and she said she needed to talk to Daddy and I could tell she was upset.. Whats the cause of his death? In response, Elvis shared his doubts that his concerts met expectations. Billy continued: Id get dressed and Id go out to Graceland and 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. Billy Smith Said:" Marty Lacker and I made up the story of Elvis trade places with another guy and Run off with Maria ". The King's only true friend near the time of his death was arguably Letitia Henley, his live-in nurse. He had gone through a tragedy in 2019 when his girlfriend Petara Cordero was killed in a horrific accident, hit by a car while . [8], In the last year of Elvis' life, he became more reclusive and withdrawn, along with abusing medications. 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 two had ventured upstairs to the bathroom, where Billy helped Elvis dry his hair. And yet, when Elvis died on August 16, 1977, he had become something entirely different from his former self. 6. . It was there, in October 1976, that Elvis recorded his final studio sessions, resulting in some of his most memorable and emotionally crushing material to date. Please click the below image to visit my continuation website. The first one was in 1957 and the other one in 1975. And me and Lisa actually went up to the treehouse and we hung out for a while. In doing so, Elvis manages to hit himself with his racquet, bruising his leg. One of these final songs Elvis played was "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," which Stallings had playing on a true-to-the-era stereo in the dojo's viewing room, the Jungle Den. This is going to be the best tour ever, Elvis said. In a new video from his son Dannys YouTube channel Memphis Mafia Kid found below, Billy was answering fan questions when one came up asking: Did you ever sense a presence at Graceland?. ", Jo said: "I dont care if I never go to Graceland again. JESSES BOOK THE TRUTH ABOUT ELVIS ARON PRESLEY IN HIS OWN WORDS. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. Given his pill dependency and excessive weight, some might assume that Elvis spent the day before his death lying in bed eating or doing drugs. He brought me out of the ghetto with him and my family.We always had a bond? Elvis Presley was a great actor and pop singer. While there is no living person that has spent more time with Elvis, Billy and Jo say they have no contact with Priscilla, Lisa Marie, or any other member of the Presley family. As an adult, one of his favorite meals was a roll stuffed with bacon, peanut butter, and jelly, alongside midnight snacks like hamburgers and deep-fried bread. Fortunately, there is one rare photograph that captures the King of Rock & Roll on the day he died, returning home from a dentist appointment in the early morning. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis . I ran upstairs, I go into the bathroom, and Elvis had fell over and was laying on the floor. But then he shared how Lisa Marie herself, Elvis only child, came by their home at the back of Graceland that evening. Priscilla has got to live without Elvis & Lisa Marie, she will get her karma everyday on earth. Nevertheless, those rooms are perfectly preserved and maintained as though he just got up and left, right down to the tiniest details including the final vinyl he played on his record player. When he lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death, Presley had an open-door policy with his Memphis Mafia. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. Speaking on the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel, The Kings cousin recounted his final conversation with the 42-year-old star. "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". 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. He was found there by Ginger Alden around 2 p.m. on August 16. Its Graceland. Three of the Mafia members, David Hebler, Robert "Red" West, and Robert's cousin Sonny West, had acted as Elvis' bodyguards for much of his career. So he went and called for his father Billy who ran for the phone. However, the home recording sessions of 1976 were fruitful, and seemed to inspire a burst of creativity in the King. Who is Jay Glazer engaged to? But according to the book The Mysteries Surrounding the Death of Elvis Presley, even worse was in Baton Rouge, where Elvis had to cancel a show because he couldn't make it out of his hotel bed in order to get to the venue. Billy revealed that Elvis had two facelifts in his lifetime. Billy Corgan Is Happy If Anyone Listens to the New Smashing Pumpkins Album. Eight years younger than The King, Billy grew up with his own family in a home in Graceland's grounds and when he married his wife Jo, they also lived behind the main house. Holding back tears, Joey continued: I wont ever forget the look on my Daddys face when he came back home. Presleys 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. Weve got big things to do, were going to do big things, Elvis told the pair after telling the couple he loved them. Elvis second cousin said: After [he died] it seemed like the world stopped. Whatever the case, Elvis lives on through his incredible legacy made up of music and movies that are much loved by millions of fans around the world to this day. After concluding the game at Elvis personal Graceland court, the group made their way to the mansion just after six in the morning. Billy says, Actually no, we dont. Billy Smith interview on the Day Elvis Presley Died January 2019 Marlowe's Restaurant Carey Rayburn outlawfilms 3.99K subscribers Subscribe 220 15K views 4 years ago Billy Smith. Another one of Elvis's cousins, Billy Smith, claimed the singer simply preferred the more common double-A spelling, . Never even crossed my mind that it was Elvis or that that could possibly happen to him.. . Billy Smith II/Houston Chronicle Gallery Furniture's Jim McIngvale gives a tour of the damaged warehouse on Thursday, June 4, 2009 in Houston, TX. loyal and devoted to Elvis. He was 82. "He was the light that shined on everybody. His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. NBC August 16,1997 news report about Elvis health problems in 1977.

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