Recently, Billy Smith who is the cousin of the late Elvis Presley addressed these rumors and threw more light on them. Residents in Texas were hit by a shocking weather phenomenon on Wednesday as severe thunderstorms dropped massive hailstones that pelted down from the sky. They spoke about how devastating it was when Elvis died. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. But with his life ended, those who loved him could now remember the man he'd once been, revolutionizing rock music with his energy, charisma, and raw talent. Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. 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. 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. Titled Thank God, the song reached the #1 spot on the Country Airplay chart. / Billy Smith, the cousin of Elvis Presley talks about his cosmetic surgeries and rumors of his webbed toes! New Elvis karate museum showcases the King's last ride Joe Esposito on Geraldo, Elvis/Jesses Hair, rings and note Christmas 2000. Billy is arguably one of the last people ever to have a conversation with Elvis. Elvis' passing is often used as the archetypal rock star death a tragic accident caused by a poor health and drug use. "Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member talks candidly to EIN", "LAMAR FIKE DIES AGED 75 (Member of Elvis Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia)", article "Billy Smith (Memphis Mafia)" is from Wikipedia, https://en.everybodywiki.com/index.php?title=Billy_Smith_(Memphis_Mafia)&oldid=1915493, Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL, Portal templates with all redlinked portals. [11] Smith went on to work at the Illinois Central-Gulf Railroad as a maintenance man. Actually no, we dont. 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. 6. Mirror.co.uk. It was Rhee who gave Elvis his animal name "Tiger Man." Footage for a planned karate movie financed by Elvis. Jim McIngvale: 9 surprising facts about Houston's Mattress Mack In Rees Quinn's biography Elvis, writer Tony Scherman is quoted as saying that by early '77 "Presley had become a grotesque caricature of his sleek, energetic former self. We travelled with him, lived with him We had to have a whole new life. Elvis Presleys mother was Gladys Smith and her elder brothers son is Billy Smith. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of just 42. During that first phone call, Gene told Gail that if she would have the handwriting analyzed on the "death certificate" that it would prove that . The new site began in July 2018 and all subsequent new pages have been created on that site. READ MORE:Elvis Presley final years pictures shared by Linda Thompson. Elvis Aaron Presley died August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. The photo ran on the cover of the National Enquireron September 6, 1977, just weeks after Elvis passed away. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. [3], After Elvis became famous, Smith's father Travis worked for him as Chief Guard, and the family moved into Graceland. Jul 10, 2019 - 206 Likes, 7 Comments - elvis aaron presley (@forever.presley) on Instagram: "Elvis's first cousin, Billy Smith with his wife, Jo Smith. She said, My Daddys dead, my Daddys dead., I cant even tell you what I felt, I was stunned and paralyzed. I dont know how you can look any better, but he did.. Both families were very poor at that time, to the point that the fathers searching for work added cardboard to the soles of their shoes when they wore through. Elvis is gone. Billy Smith is not only Elvis' first cousin but a former member of the singer'sinner Mafia circle. These were gripped by paranoid obsessions and Billy used to remember business magnate Howard Hughes who had OCD on hearing the anecdotes of Elvis. Elvis Presley employed many of his family at Graceland, Elvis Presley and the Memphis Mafia, Billy Smith far left, Elvis Presley and the family graves at Graceland, Elvis: June Carter Cash's son on her 'secret affair' with The King. Elvis Sr.'s cousin Billy Smith, who grew up at Graceland with him, and his children have addressed the late singer's infidelity rumors. Priscilla pointed out that Elvis had written a note to friend and "Memphis Mafia" member Joe Esposito, which stated, "I'm sick and tired of my life. Stars War and Harry Potter Paul Grant dies at age of 56! In September 2022, Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn released their first duet together. Elvis was scheduled to fly to Portland, Maine that evening to perform at a string of concerts. knew that he would also be targeted by these same forces because he was totally. A Review of "Elvis and Ginger" by Ginger Alden - Elvis History Blog "It doesn't get better than that. The King had suffered a fatal heart attack while using the upstairs bathroom at Graceland. Hes still with us.. Like many stars who became hugely famous before the concept of celebrity handlers had been formalized, Elvis was surrounded by yes-men and sycophants. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. 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. He had fled in a black camper van with a mysterious lover known only as Maria. In 1968, Elvis made an unexpected public statement about The Beatles during his "Comeback . Billy Corgan Is Happy If Anyone Listens to the New Smashing Pumpkins Album. Elvis Presley death: The moment his cousin found out 'Cried so much' Elvis second cousin said: After [he died] it seemed like the world stopped. In fact, the pair chatted about the future. The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. He said: Mom and Daddy were in the bedroom because they were asleep. Elvis Presley's Manager Wanted Singer's Mistress to Get - AmoMama Dealing with addiction and health issues and having a difficult time adjusting to the shifting cultural climate of the '60s and '70s, Elvis died a Vegas showman rather than a groundbreaking rocker. Elvis' only child was just 54 when she died Thursday, reportedly after suffering cardiac arrest at home in Calabasas, California. Elvis's death certificate will remain under wraps until 2027, 50 years . People there in the inner group did but you did not tell Elvis what to do. 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. In Elvis bathroom, the room where he would have a fatal heart attack around 7 hours later, Billy was helping The King dry his jet black hair. Years after his death, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra had a very open conversation. 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?. Elvis' Cousin Shares Last Conversation With King Hours Before His Death What confused some people, though, was that Elvis took a portion of the show to introduce everyone from his life onstage. If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! Elvis Presley shot to fame in 1956 but just two years later his beloved mother Gladys died of heart failure at the age of just 46. Wayne Newtons song The Letter was inspired by a note written by Elvis. Danny and Joey Smith discussed the matter during an . His father is Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and nephew to The King's mother Gladys who had died in 1958. 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. It was but natural that he wanted to look the best. As an adult, he was an inner member of the Memphis Mafia, catering to the star's needs at home and accompanying him on tour. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! "We did crazy, crazy things. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smith's YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. But it was when Billy was near the front of Graceland and he saw the upstairs windows that he says he felt something. And after they brought Elvis casket back into Graceland and they buried it then I felt like I was a little more at ease and it was time for me to get out of there.. That was the only thing we ever knewIts like a light switch turned off. The Man Who Raised Elvis: Vernon Presley | Ben Vaughn The Beatles: Paul McCartney wants to work with Bob Dylan and Elvis, Freddie Mercury: Queen finish 2020 in UK Top 10 best-selling vinyl, Tom Hanks heard Elvis stories from Viva Las Vegas makeup artist, Elvis was not in good health in the months before his death, Elvis death PREDICTED by makeup artist Hes only got six months, Elvis Presleys generosity 'is thanks to little-known relative Noah', Dolly Parton plans to record and release her Elvis Presley song LISTEN, Elvis Presley death: Research finds drug abuse didn't kill him, Elvis Presleys 86th birthday celebrated by Linda Thompson, Elvis: Benjamin Keough paid tribute to at King's Graceland birthday, Elvis Presley movie director Baz Luhrmann consumed with biopic, Elvis Presley 1956 Tupelo concert eyewitness on 'exciting' show WATCH. The first one was in 1957 and the other one in 1975. 00:00. 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.. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. Elvis and the Memphis Mafia - Alanna Nash - Google Books Get Ready To Satisfy Your Wendys Chili Cravings Anytime, Anywhere Find Out How! They speculated that Elvis has done facelifts and also dyed his hair to look younger and more charming. But in 1976, all three were fired to "cut back on expenses." 00:00. SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO. 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 . 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. WATCH[ELVIS GHOST]Elvis Presleys 86th birthday celebrated by Linda Thompson[ELVIS BIRTHDAY]Elvis Presley's ex-girlfriend believes he is in 'another dimension'[ELVIS DEATH]. Priscilla has got to live without Elvis & Lisa Marie, she will get her karma everyday on earth. He had gone through a tragedy in 2019 when his girlfriend Petara Cordero was killed in a horrific accident, hit by a car while . he wanted to marry me', Elvis' friends begged Tom Jones to call The King at the end, Elvis Graceland: Incredible first and last thing The King did there, Elvis and Beverly Hillbillies star Donna Douglas 'shared a spark', Elvis and Tom Jones: Incredible story behind THAT photo. One of the changes was to get rid of Parker and also to get clean and rest for a bit. "He was not only my patient, but a good friend," Henley later wrote in a book,via Express. Additionally, some of Elvis' family and friends would live on the property, including his cousin Billy Smith and his family. But even more shocking and strange might be the sheer amount of activity undertaken by the King in the hours before he passed away. They married in 1933 after lying about their ages to create a family. Well, that's not true. So he went and called for his father Billy who ran for the phone. While the world at large saw Elvis as the man who had it all, Letitia known to those around Elvis as "Tish" had a private window into his personal struggles. Joey admitted that to this day if his father thinks about it too deeply he starts crying. 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 comment was particularly personal because Elvis did not talk about his shows very often. 2023 deaths in the United States - Wikipedia Memphis Mafia - Wikipedia 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.". They've been married for years. Billy even talked about how some fans have felt Elvis spirit too. When he lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death, Presley had an open-door policy with his Memphis Mafia. [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 "". Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Billy, had a heart attack on January 27th and he had 4 stints put in. So, the house, in a way, has been home to Elvis' legacy for twice as long as it was home to Elvis.. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman performed at the funeral of the singer following her shock death at the age of 54 in January and he has paid tribute to his friend as a "really, really cool" person. When "The King" Was a Tiger - Memphis magazine Its not Elvis. Elvis autopsy tools are put up for auction . The photo is on display at Graceland, by the last car he ever drove: a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III. Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Writing Lines Exploring The Tedious Yet Creative Punishment, Why It Is So Unusual To Find An Original Bob Ross Painting. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. Billy and Elvis grew up together in Tupelo, Mississippi. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. Elvis Presley's Family Calls Graceland Disrespectful - DoYouRemember? "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". 15 distinct works. . Dark Secrets Of The Presley Family - NickiSwift.com I knew he was dead.". Golfers in Australias The Coast Golf Club recently had a wild encounter with a venomous red-bellied black snake. A graveside service for Billy will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 9:50 AM at Travis County Wells. 285285. Packer's broadcasting career . Now his cousin Billy Smith stated: He thought it made him look better and that he needed it,, Elvis always tried to improve his looks.. "Elvis was Graceland," says his cousin Billy Smith, for years one of the singer's close aides and now a maintenance man on the Illinois Central-Gulf Railroad. About 6 a.m. Elvis and Ginger retired to Elvis' bedroom after playing racquetball with Billy and Jo Smith. Although, Gracelands upstairs is remains off-limits since it was Elvis private space even in life. And now his cousin has shared the moment he found out on that awful final day. Around 6:45 Elvis called downstairs for some sleep medication to be sent up. In fact, Billy and his wife Jo lived on the grounds of Graceland behind the main house for years. Appearing on SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show', he said: "She was . [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. Presley had recorded tracks at home in Palm Springs in 1973 to great success, and said that he enjoyed being in a room with his fellow musicians to feed off their emotions so why not set up a mobile studio in Graceland? He was 82. 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. His father is Billy Smith, Elvis cousin and nephew to The Kings mother Gladys who had died in 1958. Get ready to stock up on your favorite Wendys chili because its about to be available to purchase in grocery stores across the country. Billy Smith, age 68, of Austin, Texas passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Elvis is buried in the Meditation Garden of Graceland to this day. 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. He missed Priscilla. As an adult, he was an inner member of the Memphis Mafia, catering to the star's needs at home and accompanying him on tour. He also had not only one but two facelifts in his lifetime, one in 1957 and the other in 1975. She used to wake up too sometimes close to the same time.. Heres what you want to know about Rosie Tenison, Engaged! Once the light's gone, you have to look for something else." Priscilla and Lisa make a new life in Beverly Hills by. Gladys Smith, Elvis' mother, was only 17 years old when she married Vernon. She never faught for Elvis , she was only after money. I said, What? 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. But when one looks at the last 12 months of Elvis' life, it becomes clear that the truth behind the King Of Rock And Roll's death might have been even stranger than the rumors people spread about him. But then he shared how Lisa Marie herself, Elvis only child, came by their home at the back of Graceland that evening. 1980 ELVIS Country Music Magazine Jesses Comin, DNA PROOF THAT JESSE IS ELVIS ARON PRESLEY, AUTHENTICITY DOCUMENT PROVES JESSES AUTOGRAPH WAS WRITTEN BY ELVIS, Jesses letter to the Attorney General of Missouri written Dec. 2002, Jesses letter to the Attorney General of Missouri and graphologist Shirley Mason, Shirley Mason Handwriting Authenticated Video of FOX 8 report interview Jesses letter to the Attorney General of Missouri, WANDA JUNE HILL HAS ENDORSED MY WEBSITE AND JESSE, PHOTO OF ELVIS/JESSE WITH HIS GRANDSON BENJAMIN IN 1994, PHOTO OF ELVIS/JESSE WITH HIS GRANDSON BENJAMIN IN 1994 continued, PROOF THAT THE PHOTO OF JESSE ACTUALLY IS THAT OF ELVISWITH HIS GRANDSON, Elvis was still alive on June 18, 1990 without a doubt.