And, he had unbelievable strength. And I would hear him calling me.. I'm in terrible pain.' After a while, Smith decided to give the superstar some space. 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! And that will probably be the last time that I would go back to it.. I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger The King's cousin speaksG, Elvis ALIVE? Was it talked about within the family or was it a surprise for you when your cousin was suddenly on the radio? RELATED: Lisa Marie Presleys Late Son Benjamin Keough Officially Laid To Rest At Graceland With Elvis. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. 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. Commenting on Billy being portrayed in the biopic, Jo said: It didnt upset you. January 1986: Elvis is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's initial class with nine other seminal artists. Right: Billy Smith, The Colonel and Elvis all looking jovial in June 1967- about three months after the 'Clambake' incident. How did it come about? He was my hero. That explanation was good enough for Joseph, but not everyone is satisfied. He tells Elvis, "You can't cover any old hit and expect it to become a hit again just because it has your name on it." Billy: Gene was Elvis' first cousin. We will keep you updated with the news you shouldnt miss. The series will be an animated (cartoon) titled "Agent King." That was our life. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Very early on I remember once when Elvis pulled me out of a garbage can! And yet conspiracy theories have been rife over the years that hes still alive and well at 85-years-old. How this got started was we actually talked one night of Elvis changing places. EIN: Is it true that in 1977 Elvis asked you to become Chief foreman and that he considered getting rid of The Colonel once again and even Joe Esposito? Aug. 16, 2012: Elvis dies in his sleep at Graceland on the 25th anniversary of the first Harmonic Convergence and 35 years to the day after his near-death in Memphis. 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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. 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. 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. Billy: I saw Jerry at Richard's (Davis) funeral about two years ago. The critically panned album makes its debut at No. Presleys cousin Gene Smith thought the body looked a little strange. As a result, he is one of the only people left alive who knew the true man the star was. Without him, its a home but its not the same. Plans for Elvis to appear solo are scuttled when RCA threatens to withdraw support unlesss its new star, Rick Astley, is included. Elvis and Aunt Gladys had a very quick temper, and I have seen the bad side of both when they were mad or upset. Ill remember him and cherish him and love him and all the memories and things of his we have, but I will never ever pay. Billy Smith - Interview - Elvis Information Network Express. To find out in detail which cookies we use on the site, read our. Elvis always took great pride in his hair. A ferocious cape cobra is seen eating and swallowing another snake whole in a matter of only a few minutes. Dedicated Presley fans are well aware of the controversy that has surrounded Presley's death from day one. It was a very strong bond, and Elvis was the center of it all. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 'We're getting ready to do another show,' she said. EIN: What about Gene Smith, he seemed to come & go within the group? Then during the touring we were together all the time. One of the most popular of these is that The King took another identity after swapping places with a doppelgnger who was terminally ill. Interestingly, Elvis cousin and Memphis Mafia member Billy Smith has revealed how The King once told him how he could swap places with a lookalike. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. The family sits and discusses Elvis last night, Graceland, and why theyre not satisfied with how some things are currently run. ", "For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy. Elvis releases a disco-style cover of Jackie Wilson's Baby, Workout, which rises to No. Attentive fans were further spooked when they saw the Kings headstone. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. We have spent days in his room reading and studying. So I think he had someone with him as much as he could., The Kings mother Gladys Presley died just a couple of years into his fame in 1958, leaving him devastated. With that, what critics like to call the "Fit Elvis era" is over. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. One thing was to tour Europe. Do you remember Elvis singing to you or the family before he became famous? Setting the record straight, Billy added: So, heres the truth: Elvis died, August 16, 1977 one of the hardest days of my life. There were a lot of lonely days and nights until Jo started to travel with us. EIN: Once Elvis bought Graceland you also moved in with your family? She was always laughing & carrying on. On August 16, 1977, something momentous happened in Memphis, Tennessee. . As I place my hand upon your heart, But, he has a sharp memory. When news of his hospitalization broke, those close to The King rushed to his bedside, one of these being Presleys cousin, Billy Smith. Several in our group were close to Elvis at one time or the other. There is often talk of Elvis practising with Johnny Burnette and his brother around this time. A lot of Elvis family was not invited to the premiere and I dont knowwho did the invitations Ive got a pretty good idea but I just thought that was really tacky. Can you tell us if this is true? Billy Smith is not only Elvis first cousin but a former member of the singers inner Mafia circle. He made it a good time. We were like brothers. 'I called and said, 'Elvis, what in the world is wrong?' He had the intelligence of a twelve year old but he was a kind man. Billy Smith and cousin Elvis Presley. And the records get worse: The last straw is a cover of Culture Club's Karma Chameleon. In the . Billy: I was always close to Elvis, but I was his family. When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father . Elvis is treated for deep bruising, and a doctor decrees that he stay overnight for observation. To get inside you need no key. 285285 52 shares Share She was generous like Elvis, but she also had a quick temper. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. We had so many memorable times on the set!! May 1 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Pennsylvania came to the rescue of a deer spotted stranded in a Montgomery County canal. May 1 (UPI) -- Michigan State Police troopers doing a clean-up at the side of a highway said what initially appeared to be a gruesome discovery turned out to be a realistic-looking severed hand made of rubber. In an interview with Larry King, Elviss good buddy Joe Esposito suggested it was another Presley associate, Al Strada, in the photo. we were family. 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. Please share his story with us. And I can truthfully say, hes gone. The first time that I saw it I was nervous, I was gripping the chair going like, Oh God, whats going to happen? Elvis: Cousin Billy Smith says Priscilla and family 'have no contact' 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 . Elvis never changed his belief in God or Jesus Christ. Billy's son, Danny, runs the Youtube channel Memphis Mafia Kid, where the family post . (EIN Note Billys full story about The Pledge is also featured in the book Elvis & the Memphis Mafia) November 2002: Clive Davis becomes president of RCA and hits on a plan to revive Elvis' sluggish recording career. It won't be the last. I remember my family went to his house to hear it on the radio for the first time. By accepting "all cookies", including profiling cookies, in addition to supporting our free offer, you will receive advertisements in line with your interests. Some, however, feel he slightly undermines the message of Kicks with a vigorous midsong demonstration of karate moves. On a final note, Jo added that the family will always cherish their memories with the beloved singer. So did Junior! Currently, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, says, "We're happy to have the boy back with us," but seasoned Colonel-watchers detect a touch of regret at missed opportunities. But those photos of her later on make her look sad because she was sick, as well as being sad about Elvis going to the army. Skip to primary navigation; . The couple emphasised that all this was just their opinion and they didnt want to dissuade fans who like the Elvis movie from seeing it again and again. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. Ghost of Elvis Visits His Cousin? | iHeartRadio | Coast to Coast AM While visiting Graceland with his family, a man named Mike Joseph took some random pictures of Presleys pool house. I know this picture is of you and not of somebody else., I never thought about [that conversation] again until after Elvis was dead.. "Elvis always . At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. Round-the-clock demonstrations outside MTV's New York headquarters by Elvis fans, some attired only in multihued headbands and sweatpants, cause MTV to reconsider, and Physical leaps into the top 10. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. I can use a little rest," he says. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Elvis Presley ALIVE? 'I could SWAP places with a doppelgnger' To date, numerous reports say fans believe that Elvis Presley did not die in 1977, but was placed in witness protection. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. Elvis Presley private life: Cousin says Graceland was like living at May 29, 2020 A relative of Elvis Presley claims to have had an eerie experience that he suspects may have been a visit from the ghost of the legendary musician. Billy: I don't know about Joe being paid by Colonel. Billy and his wife Jo are still alive and have a YouTube channel called "Elvis Fans Matter" where they talk about Elvis and give some pretty interesting insight into the life of The King. "Ain't no problem," Elvis says, "I'll take care of it." When Elvis bought Graceland Billy's family also moved in and his father Travis worked for Elvis as Chief guard. Do you still see him or have any contact? But Elvis had all kinds of people working for him - black, white, Jews, Italians, Mexicans. Billy: Aunt Gladys was a good person. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. Billy: Elvis was southern, and so he joked sometimes. THE DEATH ITSELF. EIN: Few fans know the story of your uncle, Tracy Smith. But, we couldn't make a big deal about it in front of Elvis. Elvis cousin Billy Smith, the last surviving original Memphis Mafia member, knew The King before he was famous and was with him in the Graceland upstairs bathroom just hours before the star died there of a heart attack on August 16, 1977. For we who know, know it well, 'I could. Is he still alive? And he cant bring him back.. They have a little trouble finding material at first, since Elvis has already sung most of the great American songbook, but they widen the scope to include more recent standards. Without Elvis, its not home. Elvis is paired with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Kelly Clarkson, daughter Lisa Marie Presley, Whitney Houston, Astley and Mariah Carey. 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.. June 1988: NBC and Elvis Enterprises announce a TV special for late November, 20 years after Elvis' '68 Comeback Special. I was little, and I was trying to get some bananas out that the man from the fruit stand had thrown away. She said that before Elvis's death, she had a strong feeling a tragedy was looming. 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? Today the stars close relative has a YouTube channel with his wife Jo and the couple answers fans questions about their private times with him. Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? There, he shares some of those stories with the public. Elvis swore that he would never touch another one after that, and I don't guess he ever did. I wont ever do it because wed have to, too. Countless fans from around the globe have spent hours digging into the deep lore of the Kings life.
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