Elvis Presleys 70th Birthday Bash 2005
~ Elvis Presley Meets The Beatles - Sonny West Gives Me The Scoop
~ Darlene Tompkins - Elvis co-star in Blue Hawaii Keeps Me Spellbound
~ Bobby Morris - Elvis Music Conductor Tells All About EP & Barbara Streisand
Althought it was a cold, windy and rainy night in Las Vegas Friday Jan 7th, 2005, that did not keep the Elvis fans away for the “The American Trilogy Show.”
One Elvis fan I met back at the bar was on her way to the celebration when her car slid off the road and into a ditch! The car landed on it's side and they had to lift her from it using a gurney.
She lifted her leg and showed me a bit of mud that was still on her pants. She told me, "After I got home and cleaned up get to the show, my husband said, your still planning on going out after all that?" "I wasn't about to sit at home and worry about my damn car when I could see Elvis!"
Yes, Elvis fans are some crazy but fun people. LOL
The show is a musical tribute to Elvis and done by Paul Casey. Although we enjoyed the show, Paul does a decent job recreating Elvis, the best part was staying late after the show and talking with those who knew and were close to Elvis Presley.
Some other time I will post more info about the actual tribute show.
As wonderful as the night was as I talked with those close to Elvis I could not help but feel a bit sad. Every single one of his friends and associates are in good health and look wonderful!
Don't get me wrong. I am very glad they are all doing well and are still here to share such great memories of the legacy of Elvis Presley.
What was sad was the fact that had Elvis life not taken such a tragic turn he would still be with us today had he of taken better care of himself. Unfortunately life is full of "only IF!"
One thing for certain is the fact that Elvis really truly cared and respected those around him.
Memories Of Elvis - Darlene Tompkins
Darlene talked about how Elvis and his adoration for this mother Gladys became apparant while they were filming "Blue Hawaii."
She said as they became close it just amazed her at how someone had so much love and affection for their mother. At the time she was young and single and said that it was because of Elvis that she said a prayer to God.
She prayed that someday she would also know and experience such love, affection and adoration from her children. She said that because of knowing Elvis that prayer was answered and she is a mother of two wonderful sons.
Darlene told me about the time she flew to the movie set where Elvis was filming "Fun In Acapulco" to visit another friend of hers who was co-staring with Elvis in the movie.
When Elvis saw Darlene he insisted that she be in the movie and he was going to make sure she got paid also. Elvis knew the studio would not pay her unless Darlene had a line in the movie. As extras to get a decent check they had to say a line.
She said there is one scene in "Fun In Acapulco" where she yells out something but only the back of her head can be seen and only for a moment. She was thrilled that Elvis was so kind and wanted her to get paid while she was there.
Bobby Morris Drops A Bomb!
Elvis returned back to live performing in 1969 at what was then the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Bobby Morris was the conductor at the International and was called out to Los Angeles to spend time with Elvis and put his big comeback show together.
I believe he said he spent 4 to 6 weeks getting to know Elvis and listening to records and ideas Elvis had for the show.
Bobby said Elvis was so much fun and just wonderful to be around.
Barbara Streisand was the first performer to open the International in the showroom. She had heard that Bobby had been away working with Elvis and knew Elvis was coming to Vegas.
Bobby said Barbara was wanting to meet Elvis really bad and asked him if he could make it happen.
Now..Bobby was on stage talking about this to all of us gathered for the tribute show. The room was packed and as Bobby continued the story he said....
"So I introduced Elvis and Barbara and they..... (he then paused and said)
Well..they became VERY CLOSE!"
Now..I had never heard about this and the audience was somewhat unresponsive and quite so I yelled out....
"What do you mean?"
he said smiling..... "I think YOU KNOW what I mean!"
Everyone got a big kick out of that and broke into laugther.
Sonny West Reveals Truth About Elvis & Beatles Pictures
After the show and after most everyone had left I started talking to Sonny.
One of the most interesting and unusual events in the life of Elvis was when he decided he was going to get a fedearl narcotics badge.
Elvis decided on a whim to get the badge and was headed to Washington DC to meet President Nixon.
Sonny was one of only two people with Elvis in Washington.
Another major event in Elvis life, where Sonny was also present, was when the Beatles met with Elvis. They were big Elvis fans and wanted to meet him for a long time.
As far as the history of music goes this was a major event however to this day I have NEVER seen or even heard of one single photo that exist of this legendary event.
I asked Sonny "why on Gods green earth there's not a photo anywhere of this?"
Sonny said "there is and there are!"
According to Sonny to the best of his knowledge the only photographs taken were by the fans and people that kept vigil around Elvis house in Palm Springs. Word had leaked out somehow that the Beatles were going to meet Elvis so there was a mob outside the gates.
Sonny told me that someone he knows has bought either one or all of the
pictures that were taken.
The only photos that exist however are the ones taken outside of Elvis and the Beatles!
No pictures or photos exist, as far as he knows, from anyone who was actually there during this historical moment.
Lastly, I believe Sonny did say these pictures might turn up or be released. Let's keep our fingers crossed on this one!!
I hope you enjoyed this post and thank you for reading.
Jim
Elvis Lyrics
posted by Jim Lodwig @ 9:50 AM
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