Vernon and Minnie Mae had four children: Jesse Garon, who died at birth; twins Jerry and Jimmy; and finally, Carolyn. Jerry the fan on the right. He was a loyal friend and helped Elvis out whenever he could. In the Elvis movie, he played the role of Jerry, a friend of Elvis who was always there for him. Jerrys parents were Gladys and Vernon Presleys first cousins. It was odd and uncomfortable for us. He was born on July 26, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. A distant relative has been removed from the family tree. Jerry, as defined by the Presley family, is Elviss second cousin as well as an identical twin, as described in the Presley family. Only two black players, Schilling and West, played for the team, which was comprised of white players. Despite the fact that Elvis and Priscilla Presley split four years before his death, their love never waned. For about 10 years, Ive had the pleasure of talking to and corresponding with my cousin Jerry and we have developed a friendship. The festival takes place in Tupelo, Mississippi where both Elvis and Billy were born. She said: He would sleep all day so me and my friends pretty much had the run of Graceland. Isaid, hello and she said, Linda. I said, hey, she said, Its Lisa. I said, I know who this is, you little goobernickel. It was a pet name Elvis and I had for her, Thompson explained, according to aExpress.co.ukreport. The scene was set for a night of heavy passion, as Elvis Presley welcomed one of Hollywood's most beautiful young actresses into his suite at the exclusive Beverly Wilshire Hotel. When Elvis Presley "unexpectedly" died on August 16, 1977, a great public controversy erupted. Jerry is Elvis' second cousin, as evidenced in the Presley family tree, as is his identical twin, Elvis! . Gary Presley, one of Lloyd and Bessie Maes four children, explained that the two families are 14th cousins or something like that. After being in Elvis' employment for two decades, both Red and Sonny were only paid a few weeks' severance pay. Ben Vaughn grew up in the Philadelphia area on the New Jersey side of the river. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? Jimmy Carter, the 39th President, is a relative of Elvis, his 6th cousin. Jerry got his start as an opening performer for artists such as Jackie Wilson, The Drifters, The Platters, and The Coasters, Presley had the tail of his private jet painted with the initials "TCB" and a lightning bolt and gave away gold and diamond chain necklaces with TCB (and TLC) logos as gifts. The musician's cousin Harold Lloyd was operating the gate and saw Lewis trying to break into the mansion under the influence. They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley, rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Elvis Presley Kissin' Cousins Single Film Cell (ser. 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. In addition to becoming part of Elvis entourage, a business associate, and friend, Schilling grew up with Elvis. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other. The most well-known musicians who emerged from Ferriday were piano players Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and Jimmy Swaggart, all of whom are related to the late Jerry Lee Lewis. Donna Presley is Elvis Presleys cousin. He is authentic. [25] Elvis had "even offered the publishers money not to go ahead with it. However, Presley's enormous wealth allowed him an ability to separate himself from the general public, especially in his home city of Memphis. The death of the "King of Rock and Roll" brought legions of mourning fans to Graceland, his mansion in Memphis. This time, Elvis performs in Madison Square Garden, where he performed a sold-out show in 1972. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. And I knew that nobody was going to tell me what to do because they would get fired. If Elvis did have a cousin named Jerry Presley, Im sure they were very close. On . [citation needed], When Parker informed Elvis that the Wests were writing a "tell-all book" about Elvis, which included the disclosure of Elvis' addiction to prescribed pain medications, he was furious as well as "hurt". Inside Content. Red West, Sonny West, and Elvis himself felt betrayed, and all parties were reportedly upset over the firings. 'Gee Gee' a happy-go-lucky guy easily made friends with Elvis. Her father is Elviss father, and her mother is his sister, Nash. Furthermore, he stated that Luhrmann put his heart and soul into it in order to assemble a cast that was unbelievable. Colin Firth plays Colonel Tom Parker, Nicole Kidman plays Elvis mother, and Matt Damon plays Red West, a friend of Schillings. In his 2007 memoir, Elvis: Still Taking Care of Business, Memphis Mafia member Sonny West- who was Presley's close friend and bodyguard for over 15 years - revealed that Presley's entourage. "[3], Among "the first to live, travel and play with Elvis" were cousins Red West and Sonny West,[4] as well as Billy Smith (who was with Elvis from the start to the end and the only original member still with Elvis after 1976), Charlie Hodge, Mevlana Hezri, and Joe Esposito. On the matter of not attending the funeral, which was open to the public, Jo said: Gosh it goes way back. Their requests to speak directly to Elvis about their employment termination and the nominal severance pay were not granted. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino, Della Reese, Jackie Wilson, the Four Aces, the Dominoes all the old acts. In the days before Lisa Marie was born, rumors of a divorce swirled, but Elvis and Priscilla chose not to divorce. The 13th Annual Branson Elvis Festival will be held at Dick Clarks American Bandstand Theater. Most of all, Elvis was concerned his daughter Lisa Marie, would be adversely affected by the contents of the book. Jerry Presley grew up in Tupelo and often visited his famous cousin. According to one account,[6] a crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. The Fascinating Tale Of John Lennons Duel Citizenship. According to reports, Schilling is eager to get started. Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to a couple. Jerry R. Presley is Elvis Presley's second cousin, as documented in the Presley genealogy, researched and confirmed by the Tennessee Genealogist, Richard Carlton Fulcher in 1987, and is also an identical twin, as was Elvis Presley. Linda and I were in a heated argument. La ralisation d'Elvis par les Presley a ncessit des centaines d'heures d'interview et de recherches dans les archives de Graceland / Elvis Presley Enterprises. Smith was part of The Kings Memphis Mafia entourage for decades. The marriage rumors first surfaced in the early 1990s, fueled by Myras autobiography, which was released in 1992. Jerry Presley, the cousin of Elvis, performs in a variety of Elvis costumes several times per week. Sonny West was responsible for security at Presley concerts. While there is no definitive answer, there are certainly some interesting theories out there. Copy. Someone whose daily tasks centered around keeping the 'King of Rock & Roll'; happy, whose every move was designed to please the greatest . On May 11, 1997, Jimmy Swaggart was convicted of felony sexual misconduct involving a minor and resigned as host of The Jimmy Swaggart Show. She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." There is no definitive answer to this question, as there is no clear evidence to suggest that the Presley family is related to Elvis. With your advance tickets, skip the same-day ticket lines and enjoy a family-friendly show packed with hits. During Jacksons final days, Presley criticized the media for depicting him as a monster. Elvis had four children before he died at the age of 42 in 1977. Elvis and Priscilla Presley honeymooned in Palm Springs after their marriage in 1968. Death. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Jerry is Elvis second cousin, as evidenced in the Presley family tree, as is his identical twin, Elvis! [19] Each Christmas all Presley employees received bonus checks. In 2007, Sonny West released Elvis: Still Takin' Care of Business, which was a softer look at his relationship with Presley. Whatever the reason, there is no denying that the marriage of Elvis Presley and his cousin is a fascinating topic. Throughout Elviss long life, there were numerous scandals, including legendary secrets and media leaks. Jerry the performer on the left. He was 42. They got to dance to one of Elvis most famous songs, Love Me Tender. In 1983, he formed the Ben Vaughn Combo. R. Kelly was accused of sexual molestation. Despite Elvis most well-known music, Priscilla was an important part of his life. There has always been speculation about Elvis marital status, despite his popularity. was Beaulieu. All shows are family friendly, so you can bring the kids along, too. "[12] "They all had jobs to do so that Elvis could do his and as far as being there for the money, that's laughable because there really wasn't much in that area to be there for. Follow That Dream Records, a label dedicated to Elvis collectors, is also available. The author also mentions other functions of the guys: "various members of the Memphis Mafia had played vital roles in keeping Elvis' numerous dirty secrets out of the public eye. Despite the fact that Elvis and Priscilla divorced, we all continue to wonder why they split up. By the mid-1950s, he appeared on the radio, television and the silver screen. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." What are the 4 major sources of law in Zimbabwe. They then went on to talk about when Billy was fired from Graceland a few years after The Kings death. A few years ago, Lisa Marie herself told CBS The Talk how Elvis wasnt strict at all with her. The only child of the King of Rock n Roll and actress Priscilla Presley, as well as his sole heir, she is the sole heir to his estate. Only six years after they married, Lisa Marie Presley was born, and they divorced. With the help of Presley Enterprises, headed by Priscilla, Elvis Presleys estate has run Memphiss famous mansion for more than two decades, making it one of the worlds most visited tourist destinations. Elvis Presley The King can thank Jerry Lee Lewis' libido for disrupting a challenge to the throne, but Presley wasn't without his own girl problems. Despite the fact that the film contains inaccuracies, it is still a very entertaining and faithful representation of Elvis life. Carolyn died in 1966, at the age of three, from an unidentified brain tumor. Professional handlers and celebrity security experts had not yet evolved. Schilling had been invited along by Red West, a friend of his. 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. She also opened up about the devastating phone call relaying his death to her. "[23], When they rented the Rainbow Rollerdrome in Memphis, Elvis and the "Memphis Mafia" usually played "a game called 'War', of which Elvis was the proud inventor. More info. They stated they hoped their book would "shock" Elvis into seeking medical care away from the physicians who were complicit in prescribing Elvis large amounts of prescription medications and fully resting and becoming "clean" off of these prescribed drugs. View Site I guess they dont like us, I dont know, youd have to ask them. Im honored to share the same name but hes the one who makes music, I just listen to it. He was married then divorced to Priscilla Presley. After the original results were verified, a Cleveland news station conducted additional testing. Each man had specific duties. The San Antonio Headlines Examiner published a story in 1992. Elvis Presley had several cousins. But a cheeky Lisa replied: Why dont you carry your fat a** back upstairs?, Laughing at the end of the story, Danny added: Lisa was a lot like her daddy, you just didnt really tell her what to do!. During the Memphis Mafia era, the two were particularly close. Hes dead. The only thing that brought it to reality was when she said, Hes smothered in the carpet. And when she said that, I just threw the phone because I thought, Ok, hes gone. Elvis was a simple man from a dirt poor background, who listened to a lot of black music when he was young and sort of made it is his own. Lewis married his first cousin and it damaged his career. Jerry Schilling stopped working for Elvis in 1977. Mrs. Presley is a well-known figure in the American music industry, having previously been the former wife of Elvis Presley and the co-founder and former chairwoman of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE), which transformed Memphiss Graceland into a top tourist destination. A fan asked if they stay in contact with the Presley family, and if not, why. Later in life, Elvis requested that Priscilla live in his Memphis mansion, and they did. Elvis performs Christmas music twice during the months of November and December. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This meant those rooms were off-limits to the public in order to accommodate her, before she died in 1993 at the age of 74. During the year Jerry rotates his "Aloha From Hawaii" and "Madison Square Garden" shows and, in November and December, he does his "Christmas With Elvis." Presley's rapid financial deterioration was partly a result of his divorce from Priscilla, which was finalized on October 9, 1973, as well as Colonel Tom Parker's exorbitant percentage of Presley's earnings. Priscilla Presley, Elvis' wife, was. Jerry was married only once in 1974 until they divorced 2006. How Should Artists Fund Their Career in Music? He tells of his hopes for Elvis to marry Priscilla in this piece of writing, which had the potential to be an allegory for his own desire for the Mafia. Charlie Hodge harmonized with Elvis, played background acoustic guitar, and gave him scarves and beverages during concerts, as well as being responsible for inspecting each stage layout before the concert. In 1958, Elvis was inducted into the Army and received his famous haircut at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, adjacent to Fort Smith, the town where I grew up. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Music icon Elvis Presley dies in Memphis, Tennessee. But the cousins' relationships were never easy; each has taken credit for the . She played a pivotal role in promoting the career of her late husband, and is widely recognized as one of the most significant figures in the history of rock and roll. Lisa, he did talk to Lisa and said Have your Mom call me, but she never did. [10] According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." After Billy was fired from Graceland, which he washe had tried to call and talk to Priscilla and she didnt take his calls. Billy and Jo say they dont know exactly why theyve lost contact with the Presleys. No, she was not Elvis' cousin you may be getting the story mixed up with Jerry Lee Lewis . The couple answered fans questions recently on their YouTube channel Memphis Mafia Kid. "Elvis's idea of an exciting game was that it should be as dangerous as possible", such as the game that involved fireworks. Lisa Marie Presley is the only beneficiary of Elvis Presleys estate, according to the estates trustees. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. Jerry married Kayla Lentz in a private ceremony in 1978. Adult admission is $41, and child admission is $21. [citation needed], In numerous press conferences concerning Elvis: What Happened?, both of the West cousins stated they wrote the book in part to make Elvis realize that his dependence on prescription medications was (literally) killing him. She will continue to enjoy the estate she has inherited from her father. Billy Smith and cousin Elvis Presley. Lamar Fike handled Elvis' stage lighting. Priscilla, now 77, has never remarried, and she continues to refer to the music legend as the love of my life as she approaches her 80th birthday. Anthony Hopkins, on the other hand, plays Elvis father, Vernon, and steals the show. The band was together five years, releasing two albums and touring the U.S. several times. See answer (1) Best Answer. When Elvis mother died, his father remarried and had three stepbrothers. The annual Elvis Presley Tupelo Festival went ahead as planned this year after taking last year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The films producers considered Miles Teller and Styles Bridges for the roles of Elvis. Several members filled practical roles; for instance, they were employed to work for Presley as bodyguards or on tour logistics and . His involvment in the spy ring was kept secret until New York historian Morton Pennypacker discovered it in 1929. Moreno had a lot of sex with Elvis in order to keep Marlon Brando jealous. She describes herself as having been like a sister to Elvis, a companion, confidante and keeper of secrets in the exciting days of his early career. Elvis and his friends got out of the two cars and someone in the crowd yelled, "Who are they, the Mafia?" Thus family members and friends of his youth were very important to him. Marvin was in charge of Elvis' wardrobe while he worked with the group. During Elvis affair with West Side Story co-star Natalie Wood, it was technically possible for him to be in love with his future wife, Priscilla. Doctors said he. After their Las Vegas ceremony, Elvis and Priscilla married for six years. The King may not be around today, but ElViS fans can enjoy the next best thing by the music legend's cousinBranson's own Jerry Presley.