Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis. Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. He needed more support and understanding from not only people around him, but also the fans and the public. 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. Equally cryptic for some were the parting words the King said as he left the stage: "We'll meet again. Elvis's closest life-long friend and first cousin, Gene Smith, phoned Gail subsequent to this phone call from Elvis. "Elvis always tried to improve his looks." 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. Oh boy thatthatgot to me. I said, What? Speaking on the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel, The Kings cousin recounted his final conversation with the 42-year-old star. His father is Billy Smith, Elvis cousin and nephew to The Kings mother Gladys who had died in 1958. I knew he was dead.". While some claimed this was because they'd been rough enough with fans to incite lawsuits, others countered that it was due to their criticism of Elvis' drug use. Thats it. Billy answered and she told him the tragic news that Elvis was gone and hed been taken to the hospital. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. Gene Smith died on March 2, 1999, believing that he, and his beloved first. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! He was found there by Ginger Alden around 2 p.m. on August 16. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. But Elvis never confirmed them. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7T7QKcIrE8). Once the light's gone, you have to look for something else." Priscilla and Lisa make a new life in Beverly Hills She says, 'Come upstairs, I need help. The first one was in 1957 and the other one in 1975. The two had ventured upstairs to the bathroom, where Billy helped Elvis dry his hair. Without him, it's a home but its not the same. This kitschy new incarnation of his identity at the time of his death what many refer to as "Old Elvis" led to him becoming a new sort of posthumous icon, with many claiming his passing was faked and that Elvis was either alive on a private island somewhere or abducted by aliens. The Smith's have previously lashed out at the way Graceland is run. Larry Geller, Joe Esposito, and Billy Smith. Residents in Texas were hit by a shocking weather phenomenon on Wednesday as severe thunderstorms dropped massive hailstones that pelted down from the sky. 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? It was there, in October 1976, that Elvis recorded his final studio sessions, resulting in some of his most memorable and emotionally crushing material to date. Hes still with us.. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. A veteran policeman turned deceased rock star investigator has spoken of a mysterious photo that convinced him Elvis Presley is not dead. Billy Corgan Is Happy If Anyone Listens to the New Smashing Pumpkins Album. 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. Billy Smith - Interview - Elvis Information Network. he wanted to marry me'Elvis' friends begged Tom Jones to call The King at the end. Gordon Lightfoot died at a Toronto hospital on Monday at the age of 84. . We knew him as that big hero cousin.. The Memphis Mafia was the nickname given by the media to a group of Elvis Presley's friends, associates, employees and cousins whose main functions were to accompany, protect, and serve Presley from the beginning of his career in 1954 until his death in 1977. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. adios.". Jo said how Elvis was the centre of their lives and how they dont like going back to Graceland today. [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. It was Elvis other cousin Patsy Gamble on the phone and she told Joey to get his dad. Elvis approved of the idea, and the label sent a studio truck to his home. Im sure theres some way they could sort that out. I dont know, youd have to ask them. I dont know how you can look any better, but he did.. Theres no doubt, that changed the course of my life. [9] When Elvis died, Smith was a pallbearer at Elvis' funeral, along with Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Lamar Fike and George C. "Not getting to know them well, shortly after Elvis passed away, I was extremely disappointed to see the character of some that Elvis had around him," she said in a 2019 interview with Elvis' Australian fan club while promoting her book Elvis and Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiance and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story. The King's only true friend near the time of his death was arguably Letitia Henley, his live-in nurse. Elvis cousin replied: I did. Afterward, the group ended the night around 7 a.m., and The King bid Billy and Jo goodnight. He was last seen alive going into the bathroom to read. During the June 9 to June 13 event, Presley's cousin Billy Smith and The King 's former girlfriend Linda Thompson were in attendance. . [8], In the last year of Elvis' life, he became more reclusive and withdrawn, along with abusing medications. Elvis Presley was a great actor and pop singer. By the time of the late singer's death, his infamous Memphis Mafia had dwindled down to just one member. Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. Around 6:45 Elvis called downstairs for some sleep medication to be sent up. I dont know why, Billy says in the video. Years after his death, Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra had a very open conversation. Billy added: Graceland didnt make Elvis, Elvis made Graceland.. I dont know how you can look any better, but he did., RELATED: Eight Rare Photos Of Elvis Presley When He Was Serving In The Army, Elvis also dyed his hair jet black often. She said, Yes he is, yes he is. Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis' "Memphis Mafia"entourage, famously said Ginger "didn't give a rat's ass about him. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts.". The Memphis Mafia member hopped on his motorbike there and understandably says he was too upset to see the body of the man hed been speaking with so warmly just a few hours prior. When Elvis asked for sleeping pills during his final hours, it was she who told his private doctor where to find them, and she regrets not being there as he died. He had lived at Graceland for 20 years. Elvis appeared excited about the latest shows, and Billy was quick to support his cousin. After his death, there were still family members living on the Tennessee mansion property including his cousin Billy Smith. While his grandson, who died aged 27, was laid to rest opposite last year. Fortunately, there is one rare photograph that captures the King of Rock & Roll on the day he died, returning home from a dentist appointment in the early morning. "A few speculated and began telling untruths regarding Elvis and me which were completely unwarranted, mean spirited and wrong.". The critics noted his weight gain when reviewing his public appearances. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis . Tuesday, 2nd May 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Meanwhile, though his adoption of African-American musical traditions is a bone of contention for many listeners today, in his heyday it was a powerful way to put non-white rhythms in front of segregated audiences. Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of just 42. But even more shocking and strange might be the sheer amount of activity undertaken by the King in the hours before he passed away. I have created a new web site as an extension of my original site which became so large that it, at times, made it very difficult for me to add new material. They married in 1933 after lying about their ages to create a family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, especially his daughter, Katie Springer. The following notable deaths in the United States occurred in 2023.Names are reported under the date of death, in alphabetical order as set out in WP:NAMESORT.A typical entry reports information in the following sequence: Name, age, country of citizenship at birth and subsequent nationality (if applicable), what subject was noted for, year of birth (if known), and reference. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. In doing so, Elvis manages to hit himself with his racquet, bruising his leg. Nevertheless, those rooms are perfectly preserved and maintained as though he just got up and left, right down to the tiniest details including the final vinyl he played on his record player. And now his cousin has shared the moment he found out on that awful final day. Jo said: "He was the centre of our life, you know. He was only 31 years old. The moment came toward the end of the night, just before his closing performance of "Can't Help Falling In Love With You." Recently, Billy Smith who is the cousin of the late Elvis Presley addressed these rumors and threw more light on them. Always the night owl who slept through the day, The King and his girlfriend Ginger Alden had called up the Memphis Mafia member and his wife Jo around 3:30am for a game of racquetball. 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. When the King of Rock and Roll died while on . The photo ran on the cover of the National Enquireron September 6, 1977, just weeks after Elvis passed away. 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 . Title track "Moody Blue" became Elvis' final Number One single; the song is in keeping with the pop music of the time, tinged with disco and exotica, but still showcases the warbling, lonely figure that the singer had become. I know youll do everything you can to make it as good as you can., READ MORE:Elvis Presley: The last two songs he sang the day he died at Graceland. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. They speculated that Elvis has done facelifts and also dyed his hair to look younger and more charming. They spoke about how devastating it was when Elvis died. Without Elvis, its not home. When he lived at Graceland from 1957 until his death, Presley had an open-door policy with his Memphis Mafia. Four people have made these cancer claims. Click to read more onWill the children of Lisa Marie Presley be able to attend grandfather Elvis Presleys 85th birthday celebrations in Memphis! People said that he uses cosmetic surgery to improve his appearance and look his best. The gang held various roles, from sounding boards for Presley's personal problems to helping him wade through crowds of rabid fans. NBC August 16,1997 news report about Elvis health problems in 1977. His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Judgement day each of us will answer. "That was our life. 4.25 avg rating 537 ratings published 1995 7 editions. Elvis' cousin Billy Smith was a part of the star's inner circle, The Memphis Mafia. ", Billy added: "Graceland didnt make Elvis. Elvis and Billy were both born in Tupelo, Mississippi, before their families moved to Memphis, Tennessee. They would try and no way.". / Billy Smith, the cousin of Elvis Presley talks about his cosmetic surgeries and rumors of his webbed toes! The setlist included many of his classic hits like "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Jailhouse Rock," as well as newer numbers like "Hurt" and his cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." So the rumor of the webbed toes remains to be debunked. Elvis is gone. "a.Billy Smith said that Elvis had a nose job in 1957/8.b.Billy Smith said Elvis had a face-lift 1975. According to a 1977 review in Alexandria Town Talk, the first show in Alexandria lasted less than an hour before Elvis had to leave the stage. I ran upstairs, I go into the bathroom, and Elvis had fell over and was laying on the floor. I dont know why., Jo adds: I guess they dont like us. Billy Smith was born to Travis and Lorraine Smith on April 6, 1943. 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. After playing for a couple of hours in Elvis personal court at Graceland, they all headed back to the mansion around 6:15am and Billy went upstairs with The King. Billy said: I can understand going through the home and the attractions but not to include the graveside as part of the tour. And I even got up and got Jo up too. 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. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. "Anytime someone mentions my name and Elvis' name in the same sentence, that's great," he told Rolling Stone. (Red had known the singer since the '50s.) Moving away didn't help much because soon after Elvis Sr.'s death, rumors about his infidelities and love children started going around in the media. I turned him over and I knew. They've been married for years. He verified later that it was Elvis, himself, who phoned her in Oct. 1988. He was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to last from beginning to end of the group. That is disrespectful to Elvis.". Billy and Jo returned home before receiving a phone call just hours later that Ginger had found Elvis dead on the bathroom floor around 1:30 p.m. the same afternoon. Although, Gracelands upstairs is remains off-limits since it was Elvis private space even in life. Sounds like that urban legend has yet to be confirmed or denied! 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. It was but natural that he wanted to look the best. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." Dr. George Nichopoulos, aka "Dr. Nick," traveled with Elvis, and carried three suitcases of pills to make sure he could fulfill any of Elvis' needs. Billy and Elvis grew up together in Tupelo, Mississippi. RIP Paul Cattermole! His father is Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin and nephew to The King's mother Gladys who had died in 1958. I wont ever do it because wed have to, too. Billy Smith was Elvis' first cousin, the son of Gladys Presley's oldest brother. Legends: Billy Smith; Billy Smith sitting on Colonel Parker's lap during a break of shooting Frankie and Johnny e Junior Smith with Elvis, in New York, with his date, in 1956 (Junior is sitting behing Elvis). For more of these throwback videos, check out our YouTube Channel! Billy Smith, age 68, of Austin, Texas passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Whats the cause of his death? 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 . All of them to me are great. When news of his hospitalization broke, those close to The King rushed to his bedside, one of these being Presley's cousin, Billy Smith. We feel his presence a lot and thats not getting weird or [makes spooky sounds]., DON'T MISSElvis Presley GHOST appears to Kings cousin 'I freaked out!' He also had caps on his teeth and got specialists to remove his facial blemishes. If he didn't prescribe the pills to Elvis, someone else would, and at least this way he wouldn't get them off the street. Its not Elvis. And me and Lisa actually went up to the treehouse and we hung out for a while. Billy Packer (left), an Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, died Jan. 26, 2023. 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. Vernon Presley suffered a heart attack in the spring of 1975, just two years before Elvis' death. The King's cousin Billy Smith was present when he heard the . His friends kept pimping him with pretty 17- and 18-year-old girls but he had nothing in common with them. Actually no, we dont. SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO. Elvis was awarded the 8th degree black belt by Rhee there on Sept. 16, 1974. With Elvis' cousin Billy Smith also in the hospital room, the elder Presley lashed out at. Speaking with Elvis expert Billy Stallings Spa Guy, Joey said he remembered he was watching a movie called The Naked Prey at home when the phone rang. National Enquirer picture of Elvis Presley in open casket shredded Jun 23, 2008 - The original photo of the famous National Enquirer picture of Elvis Presley lying in his open casket was shredded during a six-year anthrax 2010. A Tylenol with codeine was brought up for Ginger, and Billy followed with Elvis's morning sleep packet. When is their Wedding? His cousin, Billy Smith, has revealed the truth behind those ongoing rumors. Presleys cousin is eight years younger but spent 34 years of his life in the company of the famous singer before he passed away in 1977. 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. I mean she was, but we were too. Billy, had a heart attack on January 27th and he had 4 stints put in. The Smith parents, Billy and Jo, according to Stallings, were the last people to hear Elvis sing before he passed away in 1977. Millie Bobby Brown is engaged to boyfriend Bon Jovis son Jake! WATCH, Elvis Presleys 86th birthday celebrated by Linda Thompson, Elvis Presley's ex-girlfriend believes he is in 'another dimension', Elvis Presley: Linda Thompson on The Kings webbed toes and dyed hair, Sir Tom Jones told in early career to be less like Elvis Presley. Billy Smith is not only Elvis' first cousin but a former member of the singer'sinner Mafia circle. 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 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. "I need a long rest. Elvis is buried in the Meditation Garden of Graceland to this day. 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. . They were not allowed to take the trailer that Elvis had purchased for them that they had lived in on the Graceland property. He said: Theres still times that I have now, and [my wife] Jo does too. 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. Following his death in 1977, Graceland was left to his only child Lisa Marie and the Memphis mansion was opened as a museum to the public in 1982. We havent been in contact with any of them., DON'T MISS'Elvis DIDN'T want to marry Priscilla' so why did The King do it?Elvis and Blue Hawaii star 'We lived together. Billy, is reportedly recovering well. Speaking with Elvis expert Billy Stallings Spa Guy, Joey said he remembered he was . The controversies are in the past, and he has a new outlook along with plans for a box set of unreleased Zwan . Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one. Billy Smith and cousin Elvis Presley. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis. Elvis used to dye his hair black and Billy revealed the reason: The reason being someone told him his eyes were so blue and all that, [so] if he had dark hair it would make his eyes stand out.. We havent been in contact with any of them, Jo adds. Elvis used to sit in Billys room and chat for hours. [2] When Smith was five in November of 1948, his family moved along with the Presley family from Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee. Just nine-years-old, she ended up hanging out with Joey up at his treehouse there. Theres a lot of that.. Billy's family also went with the Presleys when they first moved to Memphis. He was depressed about aging and not having a woman he loved. Elvis autopsy tools are put up for auction . After some administrative organization, when Carter called Graceland, he asked for Billy Smith as a code that it would be the president calling for Elvis and the two subsequently had a discussion. The King had suffered a fatal heart attack while using the upstairs bathroom at Graceland. "He was not only my patient, but a good friend," Henley later wrote in a book,via Express. Who is Jay Glazer engaged to? A doe-eyed boy from the South whose unique mix of barking and crooning made him both a rebel and a heartthrob, Elvis changed the way the world thought about music, pop culture, and celebrity. 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. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. He hated how wide it was and the way it flared. knew that he would also be targeted by these same forces because he was totally. At the time, neither Elvis nor Billy had any inclination that The King would die in the same room merely seven hours later. Some Elvis fans did not like the new movie because they said it was "too sad", I on the other hand loved it precisely because it showed the true story. Marty Lacker said "Billy Smith spread rumors because . Vernon Presley, son of Elvis, died in June of 1979 of cardiac arrest two years before. While there is no living person that has spent more time with Elvis, Billy and Jo say they have no contact with Priscilla, Lisa Marie, or any other member of the Presley family. Billy added that Elvis might have got the webbed toes surgically corrected. Billy also tackles the rumor that Elvis had webbed toes. And to my knowledge, I dont ever think Ive seen my Daddy cry like that before., He remembered Billy telling his mother Jo: Hes gone Jo hes gone. Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, died from cardiac arrest on January 12, with speculations that her opioid use and sudden weight loss contributed to her . Billy continued: Id get dressed and Id go out to Graceland and for some reason I always looked up at his office window because I felt like he was calling me and he was looking out the window. The game is called off. Elvis' last live gig was on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis to a crowd of 18,000 fans, according to LiveAbout. In December 1976, after a brief courtship, the singer gave her a $70,000 engagement ring an expenditure that many thought was more for show than actual sentiment. Billy-Jo Smith I was close to Elvis for as long as I can remember.He was very protective of me always.I guess he knew how much I loved .And I did.As I have said many times he was my hero and still is,guess he always will be. While this is a cruel and derogatory way to describe someone dealing with personal health problems, it's undeniable that Elvis' eating and weight issues colored his last year on Earth. He brought me out of the ghetto with him and my family.We always had a bond? In September 2022, Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn released their first duet together. 4 a.m.: Elvis wakes up first cousin Billy Smith and his wife, Jo, to request they play a game of racquetball with him. rever d'une fille qu'on aime islam, funny names for margaritas,
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