Elvis Presley Blogs
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Also, if you enjoy seeing RARE Elvis Presley items/collectibles/memorabilia then please check out "ElvisCollectorWorldwide", an EBay Store, at http://stores.ebay.com/Elvis-Collector-Worldwide.
Jeff Schrembs
PROUDLY Collecting "anything/everything" relating to Elvis Presley since 1970!
Tags: Elvis Presley
(60 views)Elvis, from the time he could "recall", believed that he would die...before his...time.
Gladys, Elvis' Mother, had terrible nightmares/daymares, before Elvis was born and (sadly) Elvis' twin brother (Jesse Garron) died at birth (i.e. stillborn). At the same moment that Elvis was born one of the medicine bottles, afar from the delivery area, just broke in two. Vernon, and Gladys, believed that is was some type of "omen".
Elvis believed that "spritually" he "absorbed" the life energy of his brother and that he had to "do more in life" as a result. This "feeling" continued throughout Elvis' life.
Elvis and Gladys had a "connection" whereby Gladys knew what Elvis was thinking, if he was "scared", and if he was becoming "ill". Elvis, who was an insominiac and was prone to walking in his sleep putting himself in danger, often slept in the same bed as his Mother (note: Vernon at one point was in jail for altering a check) and he would awake - cold sweat - and Elvis and Gladys would discuss his dreams/visions. Many times they were of "shadows" following Elvis or "feeling/seeing" the form of his brother.
When Elvis first began touring Gladys made him promise that he would not use an airplane because she visioned that he would die in a blaze/crash. One night she awoke as she saw Elvis in an automobile burning up with fire ablazing. She paced the home and unable to be "calmed down' because she "knew" that something was wrong. It was only after Elvis had called, a few hours later to tell her that there was a problem with the vehicle and it had caught fire - while Elvis was asleep - but everyone had gotten out "ok", her that she felt calmed enough to try to go back to sleep.
As Elvis career was succeeding past anyone's expectations Elvis always believed that as long as they were "together" that life would be...fine. On Christmas day Elvis, and Gladys', World came to a "shattering halt" as Elvis was handed his draft notice from the US Army. Gladys was devestated and believed that "the end was near".
Elvis, being the American Patriot, entered into the Army and refused to be granted any "special provisions" like so many entertainers before him. Elvis completed his basic training, just like every other solider, and he earned the respect of his fellow servicemen. But, Elvis' fear/belief that something tragic was going to happen never left him.
Gladys, while Elvis was in the Army, became more and more depressed and "lived in fear" that her son was...in danger. Many a night, it was later confirmed, Gladys would be awoken by a "dead sleep" fearful that something was wrong with Elvis.
Even when Gladys was able to visit Elvis she could not hide the "physcial tolls" that she had endured by all the sleepless nights, tears, fear, and her trying to "numb the pain".
Gladys, as Elvis was stationed in Germany, felt her health issues become more and more "common" and even Elvis phone calls could not make her condition...improve.
Elvis was notified of Gladys health problems and when Gladys was hospitalized Elvis asked for, and received, permission to return to the United States to be with his Mother.
Gladys was not doing well, and in fact the Physcians feared for her life, and Elvis felt "helpless" on the long journey back to the States. Upon his arrival he was met by Vernon who had to update Elvis on Gladys' deteriorating condition.
Elvis was "overcome" with emotion seeing his (beloved) Mother in the hospital. In spite of his being exhausted, and emotionally spent, he refused to leave the Hospital. Vernon, seeing that Elvis needed a "good nights sleep" convinced Elvis it was "ok" to return to Graceland to get some rest. Sadly, Gladys passed away while Elvis was...away.
Elvis had always believed that at the time of her death that Gladys was 42 years old. Elvis had said, since he was a teenager, that he knew that he would never "outlive" the age of his Mother. After Gladys passing he further "cemented" his belief that he would not live past the age of 42.
After Gladys passing, and continuing on until Elvis death, Elvis desperately searched for the "spiritual wisdom" to answer his questions of...."why". Elvis would often look to the Heavens and...think. He also had an uncanny ability to forcast movements in the stars and amazed many a friend by his ability to say (beforehand) what would happen...next as they looked into the stars.
Elvis, also, would stay locked in his room for days at a time only unlocking his door to retrieve plates of food left for him. It was during these "private times" that the loss of his Mother - his brother - and his own fears/questions would...overtake him.
In late 1976 Elvis had mentioned, in passing and on other occassions quite serious, that time was...running out. Some of the decisions that Elvis made, including how he ended his last Concert, were "contrary" to what Elvis had done "year end and year out"...each and every year previously.
The writing of the book "Elvis...What Happened", written by three of Elvis' (recently fired) employees including Elvis' oldest friend Red West, became "the straw that broke the camels back' as it exposed parts of Elvis life and hurt him....tremendously.
Elvis health, and his physcial appearance, "decreased" during his divorce preceedings in 1973 (finalized on October 9, 1973). During all of his "ups and downs" Elvis always could count on his "fans" to lift up his spirits and give him a reason to...continue.
This is NOT to minimize the love that he had for his daughter Lisa Marie Presley who he adored.
One can only "imagine" the thoughts that overtook Elvis knowing that this "tell all book" was being "hyped" by every news outlet...around the World.
The "final night" of Elvis life he had requested medical care and obtained several prescriptions. He was to leave, for his first tour since the release of "Elvis...what happened", the next day. Elvis tried to "burn some energy" and played Racketball at his Court at Graceland. After the game he stopped at the piano and played two songs...and sang...softly.
Not many people know that, for whatever reason, around 3am Elvis went in to check on Lisa Marie (who was staying at Graceland and was scheduled to leave the next day) who was lying on her "hamburger bed". Elvis kissed her and said "go to sleep". This would (sadly) be the last time that Lisa would see her Father...alive.
He retired to his bedroom and then told his girlfriend that he was going to the bathroom to read, which is where he often went to read - again due to his ability to sleep, and was found there many hours later with his life...now gone from him.
Elvis left this World at the same age, of 42, that he had always believed his Mother had been. However, at the time of her death Gladys was really 46 years old and not...42. Apparently, Gladys had (for as long as anyone could remember) "reduced" her true age by 4 years.
What "difference" this would have made, if any, on Elvis' phyche is (of course)...unknown. But what is known is that Elvis passing confirms that there are "bonds" that are able to "pierce" time, distance, and space.
I believe that "true love" endures....eternally and while we are here we should help one another. Take care, God bless.
Tags: Elvis Presley
(80 views)In her 1985 autobiography, Elvis and Me, Priscilla Presley recalled the lack of dining etiquette of Elvis’s buddies when she was his teenage bride: "Elvis’s father, Vernon, resented the regulars acting as if Graceland was their personal club. They’d go into the kitchen at any hour and order anything they wanted. Naturally, everyone ordered something different. The cooks worked night and day keeping them happy.... What was really outrageous was that the regulars were ordering sirloin steaks or prime ribs while Elvis usually ate hamburgers or peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I wasn’t too popular around Graceland when I started reorganizing the kitchen. I set down a policy of having one menu per meal, and anyone who didn’t like what was on it could go to a local restaurant!
Tags: Elvis Presley
(70 views)2004, Elvis Presley fans expressed their anger at plans to cut up a rare tape of the singer’s early songs and sell the snippets at auction. The tape, which featured a recording made by Presley during the early 1950s, was now too fragile to play. US firm Master Tape Collection said the tape would be cut into two-inch snippets and sold for £270 ($460) each.
1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood started a five-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Relax!' UK music TV show Top Of The Pops' were unable to feature the song due to a BBC ban. (It made No.10 in the US).
1968, Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested and charged with public drunkenness after harassing a security guard at a Las Vegas adult movie theatre.
1965, The Who made their first appearance on UK TV show Ready Steady Go! To project the desired image, the hand-picked audience consisted only of teens dressed in the current Mod fashion.
More music trivia than you can shake a stick at http://www.thisdayinmusic.com
Tags: The Who The Doors Elvis Presley
(69 views)2004, R&B singer Faith Evans and her husband were charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana after being arrested in Atlanta, Georgia. Police pulled them over for a suspected licence plate offence.
1998, James Brown was charged with possession of marijuana and unlawful use of a firearm after police were called to his South Carolina home. Brown later clamed the drugs were used to help his 'eyesight.'
1984, Madonna made her first appearance in the UK when she appeared on C4 TV music program The Tube performing 'Holiday'. The show was broadcast live from the Hacienda Club in Manchester.
1977, The Clash signed to CBS Records in the UK for £100,000.
1971, David Bowie arrived in the US for the first time; he couldn't play live because of work permit restrictions, but attracted publicity when he wore a dress at a promotion event.
1956, Elvis Presley's single, ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was released by RCA Records, who had just purchased Presley's contract from Sun Records for $35,000. The song sold 300,000 copies in its first week and would eventually sell over a million, becoming Elvis' first Gold record.
More music trivia than you can shake a stick at http://www.thisdayinmusic.com
Tags: David Bowie Madonna Elvis Presley
(76 views)2005, a report showed that more songs had been written about Elvis Presley than any other artist. It listed over 220 songs including: ‘Graceland’ by Paul Simon, ‘A Room At The Heartbreakhotel’ by U2, ‘Calling Elvis’, Dire Straits, ‘Happy Birthday Elvis’, Loudon Wainwright III, ‘There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis’, Kirsty MacColl, ‘I Saw Elvis in a UFO’, Ray Stevens. ‘Elvis Has Left the Building’ by Frank Zappa and 'My Dog Thinks I'm Elvis' by Ray Herndon.
2003, Diana Ross appeared in a US court charged with driving while twice over the drink driving limit. Police in Tucson reported that Miss Ross could not walk in a straight line, touch her nose or count to 30 after she had been stopped for swerving across the road.
1973, Eric Clapton made his stage comeback at the Rainbow Theatre, London, with Pete Townsend, Ronnie Wood, Stevie Winwood, Rebop, Jim Capaldi and support from The Average White Band. The night's two shows were recorded for the 'Rainbow Concert' album.
1968, Johnny Cash played a show, which was recorded, for his forthcoming live album at Folsom Prison, near Sacramento, California in-front of 2,000 inmates. More music trivia than you can shake a stick at This Day in Music
Tags: Johnny Cash Elvis Presley
(84 views)2008, Spice Girl Victoria Beckham was named the worst dressed celebrity in an annual list of fashion disasters. Fashion critic Richard Blackwell, who had compiled the poll every year since 1960, said Beckham stepped out in "one skinny-mini monstrosity after another". Amy Winehouse's trademark beehive and tattoos helped earn her second place in the list.
2003, a grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley was sold for $685,000 (£425,711). Music producer Robert Johnson and partner Larry Moss sold the piano to the chairman of the Blue Moon Group, Michael Muzio who was planning to take the piano on a casino-sponsored promotional tour. He was then planning for the piano to be shown at the proposed rock museum at Walt Disney World.
2000, the chauffeur who drove Puff Daddy and his girlfriend Jennifer Lopez from a night-club after a shooting was reported to be co-operating with prosecutors. Puff Daddy faced up to 15 years in jail for allegedly pulling a gun in a New York club.
1997, David Bowie performed his 50th Birthday Bash concert (the day after his birthday) at Madison Square Garden, New York with guests Frank Black, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, The Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Billy Corgan and Placebo. Proceeds from the concert went to the Save The Children fund.
More music trivia than you can shake a stick at http://www.thisdayinmusic.com
Tags: David Bowie Elvis Presley
(66 views)January 8, 2009 would have been, and is, the 74th Birthday of Elvis Aron Presley.
Even though Elvis was born into poverty, his twin brother died at birth, and his Father went to jail (while Elvis was a child) God opted to give Elvis talents that (happily) Elvis shared with the World.
Many things have been said, written, and published about Elvis but it can never be said/stated/written about enough and that is that Elvis SHARED his wealth with his family - his friends - charites - and with total strangers.
Unlike now Elvis was in a NINETY PERCENT tax bracket (in the US the highest tax bracket now is approx 38%) AND Elvis was "scared", by Colonel Parker, into NOT taking "reasonable tax deductions" (for fear of an audit but really because Colonel Parker was NOT a United States Citizen - a fact the Colonel kept from Elvis and everyone) and he gave FROM HIS HEART and not for; a tax break and/or publicity. Some of the most "heart warming" stories, of Elvis' generosity, are hidden within books written by Joe Esposito and/or Jerry Schilling (which we are so thankful for).
Elvis was also a Christian and embraced his Jewish heritage/lineage. Elvis also read, studied, etc. other religions retaining the theme of "we are all created equally - judge a man by his character alone - thank God for all the blesssings - help those in need".
In this age of "instant everything" one of the lessons that Elvis left us is that (a) God does NOT make mistakes and (b) we can help each other, and should, in any/every way that we can. This lesson is one, like Elvis himself, that is...timeless.
To the Presley Family, Estate, etc. we acknowledge Elvis on this 75th Birthday.
To Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide we say "thank you" for keeping Elvis' legacy alive.
To Joe Esposito, Paul @UniqueElvis.com, Jerry Schilling, Sonny West, KingCandids.com, ElvisCollectorInfo.com, and the surviving Members of the Memphis Mafia we say THANK YOU as well.
May God bless us all and may 2009 be a peaceful, fulfilling, healthy, happy, memorable, loving, time for all of us - our children - and for our future. After all, (again) God doesn't make mistakes and it is never too late...to start again.
Tags: Elvis Presley
(181 views)The studio is rebuilt, the new speakers have been installed (the ones that go up to 12!) and special anti-earthquake equipment installed. Generator are on full power and the stacks of records are all ready to be spun on the delux mega-turntables! The only thing left is to let Igor out of his cage and introduce the dj with the hot tunes SSSSSSSTTTTTEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEtheone! (*RAPTUROUS APPLAUSE & BAYING FOR BLOOD*).
Hello everyone, welcome to the new and improved Wednesday Request show of 2009. Igor put that poor fella down, you'll be fed after the show! To start it off I thought we could pay tribute to 2 legends at the same time. Here's Kirsty Maccoll singing about some guy down the chipshop: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=F6K8R8KqpCE
Our first request has come with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. Thanks Mommyerin. Igor has given them 3 thumbs! Sit back and prepared to be overwhelmed with this classic from George "I was a beatle too" Harrison and When we was Fab! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DET45Tr421s
Next up is one from the King himself Elvis Presley doing his bad boy thing. Hope you're all ready to rock to this great tune requested by the Don of Absolute Tony.Brandon. Jail House Rock! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zRu3tw9fYxE
This one is from our resident Olympian god Zeus. Thinks he trying to tell us mortals something here. Lean back and chill out to the voice of Jim Morrison with the Doors & People are Strange: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tcb3l_2GLX4
We've got another classic here from the wonderful bonnie lass of the north- Annelockhart. Nice tan, been somewhere warm? Here T Rex with the incomparable Marc Bolan singing Ride a White Swan (I hope the Queen approves! LOL). http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=25mWBx-Poyg
Speaking of Queen (and they thought I was just making this up as I go Igor!) this request comes from Reet. Think you lot have something for lead singer! Prepare to be rocked by this little tune (and a little thanks to that late, great DJ Kenny Everett for promoting it) - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=irp8CNj9qBI
This request comes from a lonely machine from the future. Hello dele699 and welcome to the all powerful Wednesday Request Show. Thank you for the timewrap condiut, your request was received intact. Know if Igor has gotten the polarity right we'll be broadcasting you a live version of the song. Here's Thin Lizzy featuring the awesome Phil Lynott and Emerald! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rENy7MQIYJs
Our next song is a really heart breaker sung by a wonderful and much missed lady. This one is going out all the way across the planet to Mazzymagik. Here's Janis Joplin with Another Piece of My Heart. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=01X8z42_9_U
Only got a couple of tunes left to play here folks and the next one is for that hot lass of the South (US of A that is). Here for you Daringtexan is Jim Croce with Photographs & Memories. I hope it brings happy ones to mind. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vSozWUvlqhs&feature=related
Finally a theme show would not be the same without someone requesting a tune that's not in keeping so here's Meatloaf for Angel Love with 2 out of 3 aint bad. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Tf2lQvDz0
Have a wonderful week and I hope to hear from you all next week.
Tags: Janis Joplin Queen Thin Lizzy The Doors Kirsty MacColl George Harrison Elvis Presley Jim Croce Meat Loaf