Marty lacker comments on priscilla wedding claim on christmas eve, e. In may 1967, together with joe esposito, marty was joint bestman at elviss wedding to priscilla. Marty lacker weighed in, i knew elvis had to make a decision between them. The memphis mafia was the nickname given by rock n roll icon elvis presley to a group of. Esposito served as cobest man, with marty lacker at elviss wedding while espositos wife, joanie, served as the matron of honor. Some in elviss entourage believe choosing which one to marry was a difficult decision for him. Gladys love smith presley died on august 14, 1958 as she appeared in another scene in this movie clapping her hands while elvis sang and danced note. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. If elvis was bipolar, to make matters worse those symptoms are also the major sideeffects of amphetamines. Elvis presley is by far the most written about and photographed superstar ever, with hundreds of books published before and after his passing on 16th august 1977. Marty lacker and elvis cousin, billy smith, were probably the closest true friends of elvis according to some in the.
Billy smith elviss 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 kings handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with elvis. If i can dream elvis own story by geller larry spector joel. Marty was a best man at elvis and priscillas wedding and was a real close friend and trusted group foreman to elvis. It is written with honesty from his perspective and he has some great memories to reveal. Portrait of a friend by marty lacker 24oct1980 paperback by isbn. Rock n roll legend elvis presley had a one night stand with marilyn monroe, according to the kings former associate byron raphael. Marty lacker handwritten letter on elvis stationery 67. The bonus cd features elvis presley rock n roll no. Marty lacker however was the first of elvis inner circle to cash in on his death by writing a book exposing the private life of the king and his memphis mafia, paving the way for the. Billy blue bob neal brother called captain marvel child church colonel comic dixie dogcatcher doll dollars early east tupelo eddy arnold elvis presley eyes fact fans farm father feel film friends gabe girls gladys and vernon going graceland guitar hadacol hank snow. So according to elviss brother david stanley new book, there were pills and syringes surrounding elvis dead body when he was found the rehashed suicide. This item is a three page handwritten letter from elvis presleys best friend marty lacker to elvis presleys personal jeweler harry levitch. In 2010, he was honored with a beale street blues note for his music industry accomplishments. This is one of the better books about life with elvis written by marty lacker and his wife patsy.
These were the men closest to elvis, the ones who knew him bestbilly smith, elvis first cousin. We were not close there but were aware of each other because we both basically dressed alike, unlike most of the guys back then, we wore colorful flashy clothes. Last week it was 45 years since elvis performed four sellout shows in madison square garden in 1972. Bantam books, 1980, 1st paperback edition, first printing, new york, ny, 1980. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the. Marty lacker is one of the original members of the famous memphis mafia, the close circle of friends and employees that lived with the king and shared with him his highs and lows. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Revelations from the memphis mafia, the stories dont change. Marty lacker was elvis cobest man at the wedding and he has kindly given ein permission to publish his story of what happened on that famous day.
Portrait of a friend by marty lacker, patsy lacker and leslie s. Dear mr levitch, received your letter of april 3 today. After elvis death, joe became an author and publisher of several elvis books. R reported a claim priscilla made that she and elvis were originally meant to. It is with immense sadness that ein has to report on the death of our great friend and a true friend to elvis marty lacker. Explore some of his favorite books in this special episode of the gates of graceland. He had one of his best tours ever from december 27 to december 31. Billy smith, marty lacker and lamar fike are reputed to have been close friends of elvis presley from their teens until his tragic death.
Atlanta cnn in 1956, elvis presley took the country by storm. He was known for both his honesty and being forthright with his opinions. The official guidebook is the official tour book for the mansion and tells the story of its history along with with an extensive tour of the home and the attractions and exhibits. He published one book about elvis in the 1980s portrait of a friend and currently does a column on the elvis information network site. Also, i have just read larry gellers book, if i can dream. Marty lacker attended humes high in the same grade as elvis presley. Esposito remembered as elvis friend, confidant and leader of the tcb crew joe esposito was a ubiquitous figure in elvis life, from the time they met in west germany in 1958 through the. Edt 1617 gmt this news analysis was written for cnn interactive.
Im not a doctor but he suffered all that at times but dont we all. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Marty lacker far right, elvis and the memphis mafia ml. Feb 16, 2018 elvis presley a profile the king on stage 2 sahara hotel stateline, nevada, may 27, 19742 duration. Marty lacker, a member of elvis famed memphis mafia and one of the best men at elvis 1967 wedding, died monday after suffering from kidney failure. I figured id book stax studios because their security was real good. An agreement was not reached, and when elvis received a copy of the book entitled elvis, what happened. Joe esposito met elvis presley in germany when they were both drafted into the army.
From the personal collection of tcb diamond joe esposito home photographs, he put together this picture book for the elvis fans to enjoy. Ein regularly gets asked questions relating to billy smith and his life with elvis, so we sincerely. Geller raised some questions about elvis fall when he supposedly tripped over a television cord and hit his head. And i thought if push came to shove, he would choose ann. Marty lacker is the author of elvis, portrait of a friend 3. Well, this summer a new book elvis at madison square garden is published by the follow that dream label and flaming star. Joseph carmine esposito january 22, 1938 november 23, 2016 was elvis presleys road manager and friend. Get premium, high resolution news photos at getty images elvis presleythis is how i look when im jamming with friends and the fiddler goes screeeeeeech.
The new year eve concert in pittsburgh was absolutely splendid. It also features all 4 songs from elvis first appearance on the ed sullivan show on september 9th 1956 and a recording off the afternoon performance of september 26th in tupelo, mississippi. Elvis collectors brasil interview with marty lacker. Thursday, february 16, 2017 at baron hirsch cemetery. The letter is three pages long and written on elvis presleys personal stationary. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Elvis letters from omaha in 1956 exposed cultural divide. This vivid oral biography of elvis presley is based on the recollections of three members of the memphis mafia, the entourage who accompanied elvis every day, from 1956 to his death in 1977. A member of elvis inner circle, known in the fan world as the memphis mafia, martys friendship with elvis stood the test of time.
Elvis being at the edge of the crowd to the centre of the group in 1961, lacker would be formally employed by elvis, be cobest man in 1967. Marty also became an important figure in the memphis music scene. Two respected elvis aides, marty lacker and elvis s cousin billy smith, say that although the body found slumped in the bathroom of elvis s graceland mansion on august 16, 1977 was certified dead, the real elvis was hundreds of miles away. Loving you was a great movie for elvis but sadly he would not watch this movie after his beloved mother i. This is one of the best books about elvis that was ever written. Private presley the missing years elvis in germany unique cd with seven elvis songs and rare interviews please see photos for complete description. Geller states elvis first words to him oh, man, i got hit. Exclusive to elvis express radio joe krein interviews mackey hargett sharing his memories of his cousin elvis and his days at graceland. Esposito remembered as elvis friend, confidant and leader. The staff of elvis presleys graceland wishes to send its deepest condolences to the family and friends of marty lacker, who passed away yesterday. At nearly 800 pages, the book is justifiably acclaimed as one of the best ever books published about elvis. Oct 26, 2016 in 1961, lacker would be formally employed by elvis, be cobest man in 1967.
The biggest section of the book was written by marty lacker, and its interesting to note that when he repeats some of the stories in the book elvis aaron presley. Marty worked as foreman for elvis from 1960 until 1976 and was also his best man at his wedding with priscilla. If not for marty lacker, elvis might never have gone to american studios in 1969 to record the landmark from elvis in memphis record. What happened by author steve dunleavy with input from red west, sonny west, dave hebler 1977 bantam books isbn 0345272153 elvis. Marty was a member of elviss inner circle and was at one time he was foreman of elvis memphis mafia.
Lamar fike, ray sitton, e, marty lacker, alan fortas elvis. At one end of the spectrum are the elvis detractors, best typified by albert goldmans spurious biography, elvis, published in 1981. Elvis presley boulevard 3764 recommended for you 14. Marty lacker however was the first of elvis inner circle to cash in on his death by writing a book exposing the private life of the king and his memphis mafia, paving the way for the rest of the entourage to write their own memoirs. Elvis presley a profile the king on stage 2 sahara hotel stateline, nevada, may 27, 19742 duration. Elvis presley faked his own death after paying a terminally ill lookalike to be buried in his place, the people can sensationally reveal.
Marty is wellknown as one of the key members of the memphis mafia and also cobest man at elvis wedding. Much more numerous, but just as untrustworthy, are books written by the elvis mythmakers. Raphael, who worked for the william morris agency and with. Smith 1980 isbn 05538243 me n elvis by charlie hodge 1988 castle books, isbn 0916693007. Two respected elvis aides, marty lacker and elviss cousin billy smith, say that although the body found slumped in the bathroom of elviss graceland mansion on august 16, 1977 was certified dead, the real elvis was hundreds of miles away. The year of the king new book catches images of the early elvis web posted on. Through revealing interviews with three of elviss closest friends, who were also his protectors and rescuers, nash achieves the first true mapping of elviss psyche. Unfortunately, many of the books about elvis in recent years mix halftruths and bias to distort his real legacy. Elvis presley elvis tv special 1983, vinyl discogs. Lacker pushed elvis into studios where he was challenged and produced his best later work. R reported a claim priscilla made that she and elvis were originally meant to be married before may 1st 1967, but the plans were. Jun 15, 2017 new books have also been announced from the graceland archives. Elviss close friend marty lacker died on february aged 80.