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your edition of Elvis Presley Forever!
April 17, 2007

Elvis Presley Forever! monthly newsletter


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1) Famous Elvis Quotes
2) About Elvis Presley & other Legends
3) Elvis Fan's Survey Responses
4) Favourite Elvis song lyrics
5) Party Planning tips
6) Sponsored Resources
7) Elvis Trivia
8) Editor’s Notes & Fun stuff

1) Elvis Presley Quotes:

“I’ve never gotten over what they call stagefright. I go through it every show. I’m pretty concerned, I’m pretty much thinking about the show. I never get completely comfortable with it, and I don’t let the people around me get comfortable with it, in that I remind them that it’s a new crowd out there, it’s a new audience, and they haven’t seen us before. So it’s got to be like the first time we go on.”
-From a 1972 taped interview used in MGM’s documentary “Elvis on Tour”.


“Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
John Lennon

“This boy had everything. He had the looks, the moves, the manager, and the talent. And he didn’t look like Mr. Ed like a lot of the rest of us did. In the way he looked, way he talked, way he acted — he really was different.”
Carl Perkins

“I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him. Last time I saw him was at Graceland. We sang Old Blind Barnabus together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother.
James Brown

Lisa Marie Quotes

• I think I've failed every test I've ever taken. If there was a failure I would have been it.

• I use songs as weapons. I've written some really good, nasty songs about people I've been involved with and then I make sure they hear it somehow.

• I want a fingerprint of my own and I want credibility, and that's all I want. I just want some substance to my existence.

2) Elvis Presley & other Legends

Memphis Mafia

The Memphis Mafia was a group of friends and associates who were employed by Elvis Presley from 1956 until he died.

The group began with Elvis' first cousins Junior and Gene Smith (Gladys Presley's sister Levalle's children) who accompanied Elvis everywhere, along with Elvis' high school friend Red West and rockabilly singer Cliff Gleaves.

Around 1960, the media dubbed the employee entourage "The Memphis Mafia." This nickname originated as an ironic reference to their image.

According to one account, a crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. Elvis and his friends got out of the two cars and someone in the crowd yelled, "Who are they, the Mafia?" and a newspaper reporter picked up the story.

The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck.

However, in her 1985 book Elvis and Me Presley's former wife Priscilla wrote that Presley didn't like the name because of a frightening Mafia connotation which the general public was then unaware of. Priscilla wrote that members of organized crime had attempted to take over Presley's career, something reported as having happened earlier to singer Frank Sinatra.

Presley and his employees adopted the acronym TCB which meant "Taking Care of Business", officially named his band the TCB Band, had the tail of his private jet painted with the initials "TCB" and a lightning bolt and gave away TCB gold chain necklaces as gifts.

When Presley emerged as a major celebrity in 1956 he was constantly besieged by adoring fans and the press, making a normal lifestyle impossible.

He would pay the cost of renting a movie theatre to watch a film or rent an entire Memphis amusement park to ride a roller coaster. At the time professional handlers and celebrity security experts hadn't yet evolved.

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). These threats were kept out of the press for fear of triggering even more (the danger of crazed stalkers and the like later entered public consciousness in 1980 when Mark David Chapman murdered John Lennon).

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.

This entourage (the Memphis Mafia) included first cousins and several of Presley's friends from his boyhood in a poor Memphis housing project plus junior and senior high school friends and early employees from Memphis such as Alan Fortas, nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Abe Fortas.

Many people were employed with the group through the years but some of the more prominent members were Joe Esposito, Lamar Fike, Alan Fortas, Larry Geller, Charlie Hodge, George Klein, Marty Lacker, Bitsy Mott, Jerry Schilling, Billy Smith, Gene Smith, Red West, Sonny West and Patty Perry (the only female member).

Each employee had specific duties and reported to road manager Joe Esposito. Sonny West was responsible for security at Presley concerts. Red West was one of Presley's earliest friends from their school days and in 1954 had acted as a driver for Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black when they first toured the American South performing as the "Blue Moon Boys."

In her book, Priscilla Presley said these employees were paid an average of $250 per week during the 1960s, which rose to $425 per week in the 1970s. Each Christmas all Presley employees received bonus checks.

Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for a lack of normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow.

Known for his generosity (attributed by Presley himself to an impoverished childhood), he bought some of these employees homes as wedding gifts and frequently bought new Cadillac automobiles for employees, relatives and friends.

In his book, ''Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley, Peter Guralnick writes that Elvis spent all day and night with the members from the Memphis Mafia. "For Elvis and the guys," the reputed Elvis biographer says, "Hollywood was just an open invitation to party all night long.

Sometimes they would hang out with Sammy Davis, Jr., or check out Bobby Darin at the Cloister. Nick Adams and his gang came by the suite all the time, not to mention the eccentric actor Billy Murphy, longtime friend of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum ..." Guralnick adds "The Colonel joked that they looked like a bunch of old men, but the Memphis Mafia had become almost as well known around town as Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack" and that Elvis and his guys were all "living on speed and tranqs."

For Joe Esposito, "it was a party like you wouldn't believe. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino, Della Reese, Jackie Wilson, the Four Aces, the Dominoes — all the old acts. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other."

Following Elvis Presley's death in 1977 some former members of the Memphis Mafia wrote books. The first exposй book came from the West brothers who wrote about Presley's years of prescription drug abuse which led to his death.

Article continued online …..

3) This month’s top Fan Survey Responses:

First Name: Nicky
Country: United States

1. How and when did you first hear about Elvis Presley?
: from my dad. he was and still is a big fan of elvis.

2. What was it that got you hooked on Elvis?
: his looks, obviously, as well as his beautiful voice. he can hit just about any note.

3. If Elvis were alive, what would you like to say to him or ask him?:
i just want him to see his daughter and what a huge success she's become. i would also like a kiss, a hug, and an autograph!

4. WHICH is your favourite Elvis Presley song or movie?
: can't really pick just one, it's to hard but i really love the song ' moody blue' and the movie' kissin cousin's' was funny.

5. WHY is it your favourite?
: i love 'moody blue' because it's so upbeat and you can dance to it. and i like how he plays a twin in 'kissin cousin's'.

6. Who do you think Elvis loved most in his life, his greatest love?
: that's an easy one. his family, friends, and fans.

7. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard that Elvis had died?
: i was born in 1984 so technically i wasn't born when he passed but when i first heard about it, i was speechless. it was really heartbreaking and still is.

8. Why do you think Elvis still attracts new fans every year, even long after his death?
: his music was amazing. not only the lyrics but his beautiful voice is what made him the legend that he is. i know his music will never fade. ELVIS ROCKS!!!

9. Do you collect Elvis music or memorabilia?
Yes, Music, Movies, Posters, Books, Personal items, Souveneir items

11. How would you rate our Elvis Presley Biography site?
: Excellent

12. Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve this site for Elvis's fans?
: i would say that you can add just a little more pictures but other than that, it's great!

Hi Nicky,
Thank you for your valued comments on our survey. Elvis' voice was absolutely the Best and his looks, well, no other will ever come close. He was so handsome.



First Name: brittany
Country: United States

1. How and when did you first hear about Elvis Presley?
: from my dad he started watching roustabout

2. What was it that got you hooked on Elvis?
: his ability to sing, his leg(of course) his lip, his dreamy eyes, and his hottness

3. If Elvis were alive, what would you like to say to him or ask him?
: i would say you have missed alot in your daughters life time cause if he(elvis) were still alive he would have 2 grand kids. and i would ask him if i can have a kiss and his autograph

4. WHICH is your favourite Elvis Presley song or movie?
: songs: an american trilogy, mean woman blues, hard headed woman
movies:viva las vegas, jailhouse rock, stay away joe

5. WHY is it your favourite?
: mean woman blues cause its a hott song so are hard headed woman and an american trilogy cause its a sad song to me viva las vegas cause of his adventure with ann-margret,jailhouse rock his dance sequence, stay away joe dont know why

6. Who do you think Elvis loved most in his life, his greatest love?
: his mother(gladys) and daughter(lisa marie)

7. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard that Elvis had died?
: i wasnt born but my dad said it was a tragic see i wasnt born til 1994

8. Why do you think Elvis still attracts new fans every year, even long after his death?
: duh cause hes the KING OF ROCK N' ROLL

9. Do you collect Elvis music or memorabilia?
: Yes, Music, Movies, Posters, Books, Personal items, Souveneir items, other

11. How would you rate our Elvis Presley Biography site?
Excellent

12. Do you have any suggestions on how we can improve this site for Elvis's fans?
: add a little more pictures of him back in the late 1950's and more pictures of priscila

Hi Brittany,
Sounds like your also a little hooked the on Elvis, thank you for your suggestions with putting more of his earlier pictures on the site, I must admit I’m more into his mid years.
But will be considered in the future. Thank you for taking part.



Visit out site to get the other new articles & fan surveys posted this month…. elvis-presley-forever.com

4) Favourite Elvis song Lyrics for
An American Trilogy

This new feature of our ezine is for karaoke superstars & the fans that just like to sing-along with the King.

(words & music by Newbury)

Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
Old things they are not forgotten
Look away, look away, look away dixieland
Oh I wish I was in dixie, away, away
In dixieland I take my stand to live and die in dixie
Cause dixieland, thats where I was born
Early lord one frosty morning
Look away, look away, look away dixieland

Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah
His truth is marching on

So hush little baby
Dont you cry
You know your daddys bound to die
But all my trials, lord will soon be over

5) Party Planner tips:
“Five tips for greenhorn party planners”

This new feature of our ezine is a bonus home entertaining guide for all you party animals.

Party planning has never been more professional than at this point in time.

Because of this, more people are turning to professional party planners to make sure their events are a success.

Party planners are becoming so in demand and necessary in the social circles, thus elevating the party planning sector to industry status.

If you are a novice in planning a party, then you are better off hiring the services of a party planner.

This way, you will be able to host the party successfully, without the additional stress that comes with planning of a party.

Party planners are paid either on a percentage basis (depending on the amount you spend for the party), on a per hour basis (the total amount of time she spent organizing your party), or on a fixed rate basis or flat rate.

If you do not have the budget for a party planner, and you want to try your skills in party planning, then at least know what it takes to plan a basic party.

1. Determine the type of party you want to have. Your planning will be based on what kind of party you are going to throw.

Parties can be thrown for any reason such as a shower party for the arrival of a new baby, a Thanksgiving party come November, a birthday party, or just about any occasion you can think of.

2. What is your Budget? Once you know the kind of party you are going to have, prepare a budget, or how much you are willing to spend for the party.

If you want to keep the expenses low, then perhaps you can just hold it in your home or in the backyard if it is a casual party.

If you have a bigger amount to spend, then you can hold it in a hotel or any paid venue.

3. Decide on the party theme. A party's success will partly be determined by the ambiance you will present to the guests.

Take note that guests usually attend a party because they want to have fun.

If you have chosen the right theme for the party, it will affect the guests' perception and attitude from the moment they arrive at your chosen location.

4. Make a checklist of all the things needed for the party. Never forget to send the invitations. But first, you must have a guest list.

Would you prefer a party where everyone knows each other by first name, or would you prefer a bigger guest list?

These are important questions that you have to address at least a month before the date of your party.

5. Make sure you can cook well, or if not, better to avail of catering services. Don't forget, good food is equal to good party reviews.

Free Party Planner & Entertaining Guide with hundreds of articles & recipes for how to plan a party and special events, including a wine appreciation guide with drink recipes too. Simple party planning etiquette tips & meal ideas with help on how to cook easy recipes from our free International & Mediterranean foods cookbook download.
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6) Sponsor’s Resources:

Our Sponsors and Affiliates are what keep this newsletter and our website articles and resources free to you, so we appreciate your support when purchasing from our sponsors.

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7) Elvis Presley Trivia:

• Elvis had a cousin named Earl Stevenson, a former U.S. Marine sergeant. He was also distantly related to both country singer June Carter Cash and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

8) Editor’s Notes & Fun Stuff:

Some humour to put a smile on your face!

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF LIFE!

Living on Earth may be expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Super Markets are lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors... but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Have an awesome day, and know that someone who thinks you're great has thought about you today!..



Have you visited our site to read the other new articles yet?
elvis-presley-forever.com

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s edition of the magazine. If you have any suggestions for content that you would like to see more of, please email us on our “Contact Us” form

Wishing you all the very best for the month ahead, and thank you again for contributing your stories on our Elvis Presley biography Survey of his fans!

Theresea (TLC)

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