NO DOUBT! Elvis Presley (part 1 of 3)

2017 All Rights Reserved authored by Jeffery Schremfs with permission

1956 Elvis in car Graceland front side shot rareOver the years I have been asked (literally) thousands of questions about Elvis Presley by quality websites such as; by participants of Quora, Wiki, and others. When I am able I answer them and provide facts that are not commonly known. When I get positive comments, upvotes, responses, emails, etc. I am appreciative as I have never monetized my collection, knowledge, etc. of Elvis Presley. I am a routine fan who has studied Elvis, onstage and off, for (approximately) six decades now.

This is in addition to this blog, http://www.ElvisCollector.info (no ads, no solicitations, no pop-ups, just 100% interesting/rare/unique/cool, http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (100% free Elvis Presley fan forum), and many other blog/sites I interact with.

I take great pride in these works and they have, individually and collectively, been positive distractions from my battles with cancer, PIDD, and I’ve been recently diagnosed with kidney failure aka acute renal insufficiency. Additionally I have hospitalization(s) scheduled for, including but not limited to, mapping of my, swollen – painful – and asymmetrical, lymph nodes and surrounding tissue.

I am very blessed to have good doctors, hospitals, friends, relatives, and other support systems. I have my own beliefs, and faith, in God which has sustained me and man are/were there times when the weight of all these medical/mental/emotional/etc, issues decimated my every breath.

I am also thankful to you. Those who want to know more about Elvis Presley. Those who are just curious, Those who came across this blog by happenstance. Thankful to all of the search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.

You see Elvis’ life, beginning with the death of his identical twin brother who was born first but was “stillborn” (i.e. born dead) and his beloved mother (Gladys) and Father (Vernon) tasked with coming up with a name for their newborn son as they never expected twins, is unique and interesting to say the least. Elvis life was, at various stages, complicated yet simple. If you want to see dirt poor people in the South without means in the 1930s Elvis meets that criteria. If you want to see someone with riches, fancy cars, custom jewerly, his own fleet of cars and a few airplanes to boot Elvis is your man. I can, and will in the future, go on and on.

As a boy (in the 1960’s – man its been a….W  H   I   L   E) I started collecting Elvis memorabilia and everyone from my best friends, relatives, minister, neighbors, teachers, etc. knew

I not only collected Elvis related things but was also knowledgeable about the life of Elvis onstage and off. I never believed Elvis was perfect nor did I believe anything other than Elvis was multi talented, worked hard, provided jobs/income for his friends/family, was loyal, and had a world famous temper. I never put him on a pedestal and I had an emphasis on the truth (i.e. from direct sources I had the honor of knowing/speaking with/etc) and context. My Grandfather, who has long passed and I miss very much, gave me many fundamentals/life lessons to adhere to. An example is he used to tell me “the only thing worse than a lie is a half truth”. I was young then but a few years later I learned firsthand just how wise he was and how this saying was spot on. You see when someone lies there are countless ways to cross reference it. But, when someone tells a “half truth” it carries more weight, and thus is harder to disprove because part of it is true and can be corroborated.

Back to Elvis.

Elvis, in context, was a good man who loved the Lord/Jesus/God and not only sang about it but did not back off when asked about his faith. He helped so many in need. He gave of his time. His heart. His talents. His works. His money. He cared and people were drawn to him.

Publicly Elvis did not judge others nor did he disparage other celebrities. An interesting response he gave, to a question (I am summarizing here and from two interviews around the time of his 1972 Madison Square Garden concert in New York, of “do you think other entertainers should speak their minds then “do you belief other entertainers should avoid military service”? Elvis’ response was all Elvis. He said “I’m just an entertainer and I’d rather keep my own views to myself so I’d rather not say”.

It has been a long time since Elvis walked this earth. It was a joy to watch him share his talents. Everything from his hair, to his style, to his clothes, to his laugh, to his biting humor, to his wit, to his photographic memory, to his upbringing of politeness using verbiage such as “yes mam, no mam, yes sir, no sir” etc.

He owned a luxury home in Hollywood but he called Memphis (Tennessee) his home with his house named “Graceland’. At the time he purchased this home, in the 1950’s it was off the beaten path. It was a southern style mansion with acreage to ride horses. To have pets. To have privacy from the world and always being thankful to the fans who lined up outside the stone wall, and the infamous gates, of Graceland.

He was a “one of a kind” man who left us three decades of excellent works (i.e. movies, songs, albums, videos, dvds, writings, interesting stories, served honorably in the United States Army, and received many achievements throughout his life.

… to be continued

Elvis Presley…love song of the year

This song has always held a special meaning to me since the day I first heard it which was when Elvis first released it. Man, in some ways those were really the days.

This song is beautifully sung, arranged, and Elvis was going through his own trials which endeared this song to him.

I prefer just listening to the song without the photographs even though some of the pictures are nice.

Here is Elvis Presley and his “love song of the year”.

Elvis Presley was, is, and forever will be the MAN

Like the headline? Well it took me all of 1/10000000000th of a second to come up with it. Finding my car keys? I’m lost. Elvis? I can recall.

Lets compare Elvis FOUR to FIVE to SIX DECADES AGO to “celebrities” of today shall we?

Homes: Elvis had homes in Memphis Tennessee and in California at the same time. Elvis home is an official American LANDMARK

TV’s: Elvis had 3 set into the wall of his “man cave”. They were all color (and that was a rarity in that day/time) which he copied after President Johnson so Elvis could watch all 3 football games at the same time. Yeah we all have access to screens 24/7 how but who wouldn’t want to sit and watch football games with Elvis?

Large Screen Movie: Elvis had the largest, most technologically advanced, TV screen (projector) to watch movies at this home (in the Jungle room FYI). Also Elvis was the FIRST American to own a VHS from Sony.

Jewelry: Elvis had his own Jeweler. He owned MILLIONS, over his lifetime, of dollars of jewelry. From rings the size of golf balls, to lions head necklaces, to “crazy” engraved solid gold bracelets, etc. in every shape – design – etc.

Cars:  No contest. Elvis OWNED (not rented) the baddest cars on the planet. BMW 507 check. Mercedes Benz limo black on black check. Stutz blackhawk CHECK. Custom painted purple luxury cars check. Pink caddy for his mother than never had a drivers license and never knew how to drive check. Iconic Lincoln with suicide doors check. In Americana the 1950s are defined as the best in advances and style and Elvis OWNED (literally) the best of the best every decades of his life.

Toys:  Motorcycles. The King had them in spades. Three wheelers too. All custom and bad TO the bone.

Horses: Elvis loved horses. He kept them at Graceland throughout his life and during the 1960’s bought an entire ranch called the “Circle G ranch” complete with trailers to live in (for everyone), stables, horses, and anything else one would need.

Planes: Yes please. Elvis not only bought a million dollar plane but he SPENT an additional (estimated) million dollars on renovations. Then he named it after his beloved daughter Lisa Marie. Hugh Hefner did it first, and Elvis borrowed Hef’s plane at one time, but Elvis did it best.

Style: CHECKMATE. Elvis hair. Winner. Elvis look. Winner. Elvis clothes. Winner. Elvis custom capes. Winner. Elvis designed the first “karate style Vegas suit” Winner. Elvis even, before he died, had a custom jumpsuit to be used with LASERS. Yes I said LASERS and that was 1977.

Well folks I’m exhausted from Elvis winning but thanks for visiting. Tell others about us. Checkout http://www.ElvisCollector.info. And take care.

Jeff Schrembs

Eternal prayers to the family of Marty Lacker from Jeff Schrembs

Image result for marty lacker 1971

  • Photo of Marty Lacker circa 1971 (the date may be off)

It is so…sad.

Marty Lacker passed away on February 13, 2017 at the age of 80 leaving behind a great family, loved ones, friends, etc. I am so very sorry for loss not just as I type these words but until my time comes to leave this earth.

His obituary, from Calane Funeral Directors, is as follows: Martin J. “Marty” Lacker peacefully passed Monday, February 13, 2017 of natural causes. He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Rose Grodstein Lacker and his sister Anne Louise Lacker Grenadier. He is survived by two daughters Angie and Sheri Lacker of Memphis and one son Marc Lacker (daughter in law, Brenda Stoyka Lacker), Best friend, Patsy Daniels, Grandchildren are Brandon Lacker (Whitney), Cody Lacker and Katelynn Lacker and three Great Grandchildren Kydon, Kinzyn and Keston Lacker, and Special friends Billy and Jo Smith and Julie Bramlett. Born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn, NY on January 3, 1937 moved to Memphis in 1952, and attended Humes High School. After a semester at the UT Knoxville he was the successful radio Program Director at WKGN Knoxville. Later his radio career took him to WNOE New Orleans and subsequently back to Memphis’ WHBQ.

Discharged from the Army in late ’56 in Germany, he was invited to visit with fellow Humes alumnus Elvis Presley and became a close friend. In 1961, Elvis asked Marty to work for him and he eventually became Elvis’ right hand man and co-Best Man at Presley’s wedding. Marty appeared in 13 of Elvis’ movies, joined music tours, and co-ordinated recording sessions that produced iconic Presley hits. In 1969, he was responsible for Elvis returning to Memphis to record for the first time in 14 years. He convinced Elvis to record with producer Chips Moman at American Studios in what many have declared his greatest hit records since the Sun years like “Suspicious Minds” and “In the Ghetto”. Lacker remained a close and trusted friend until Elvis passed away. He was also responsible for the City Council and Memphis Mayor changing the name of Highway 51 S. to Elvis Presley Blvd in late 1971.

Outside the Elvis connection, Marty became a pillar in the Memphis Music industry in the late 60’s and 70’s, first with accepting an offer to start Pepper Tanner Records discovering Rita Coolidge and producing projects for her and then Eddie Harrison & The Shortkuts along with the help of his friends Isaac Hayes and David Porter. After becoming the General Manager of American Studios, he was responsible for other artists such as Petula Clark, Dionne Warwick, Jackie DeShanon and Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers fame to record at the studio. He was later affiliated with Stax Recording Studios.

Marty Lacker was responsible for creating the Memphis Music Awards Show in the early 70’s and subsequently created an environment that drew many major record company leaders to Memphis. Marty, being one of the leaders of the Memphis Music industry of that era was the person who conceived the original Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission and was voted in and served as its chairman and was one of the co-founders of the Memphis Chapter of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which is the Grammys.

Marty co-authored two popular books on Elvis and has appeared on numerous documentaries about Elvis and aspects of Memphis Music. In 2010, he was honored with a Beale Street Blues Note for his music industry accomplishments.

Services will be 12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Baron Hirsch Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite children’s charity or animal rescue program

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Martin “Marty” J. Lacker please visit our Sympathy Store.

I was very fortunate to have had a relationship, of mutual respect,  with Marty over a great period of time. He was one of a kind and brutally honest. His passing has hit me like a Louisville Slugger to the back of the head. However, whatever grief I have is nothing compared to what his family/loved ones must be going through. My thoughts and prayers remain with them.

I also want to say THANK YOU to so many exceptional Elvis Presley related websites who conducted intimate, and fact filled, interviews with Marty over the years. I know firsthand the sacrifices and now your endeavor(s) carry greater weight that Elvis Presley fans will seek out – appreciate – support – etc. as long as there remains an interest in Elvis.

* Note some of these websites are (including but not limited to); http://www.ElvisPresleyNews.com, http://www.ElvisInfoNet.com, http://www.ElvisBlog.net, http://www.Elvis-Express.com, http://www.Elvis.com, etc.

To each of these websites, and the dedicated people associated, please keep up the good work(s) and I wish you (personally and professionally) continued success in every endeavor you undertake. Take care and may God bless you and yours…always.

I’ll miss him.

Man, I’ll…

 

Jeff Schrembs

 

Elvis Presley’s personal posessions Feb 2017 edition

PUBLISHED WITH THE EXPRESSED PERMISSION OF MR. JEFFERY SCHREMBS 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Thank you for visiting.

We hope that you will enjoy this post and comeback often.

Also, you are invited to become a member (100% free of course) of Elvis Collector Worldwide (an official Elvis Presley fan club and your membership comes with tangible benefits again at no charge) associated with the Elvis Presley forum of http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (please bookmark this as we don’t want anyone to get carpal tunnel syndrome by having to type such a long series of words.

Lastly, please visit http://www.ElvisCollector.info to read, experience, see, learn about, enjoy, etc. every aspect of Elvis’ life onstage and off. This website has NO ADS. NO POP-UPS. NO SOLICITATIONS. Just facts about Elvis with great, rare, content and our emphasis is on our visitors having a great experience and letting others know (via Facebook, Google +, Twitter, Pinterest, Yahoo, Linkedin, and others) about this blog, the fan club, and the Elvis website.

Elvis was a man of many interests, passions, opinions, beliefs, etc. His possessions reflected not only his personality but diversity and having full confidence in the things he liked. This, along with input from (his beloved mother and when she was alive) Gladys – then Priscilla – then Linda, enabled Elvis to showcase his good taste.

But, in the case of the Jungle Room Elvis bought these items because they reminded him of Hawaii/Bahamas as he had seen them in the store and, like he did many times, he said “I’ll take it all”. Additionally, Elvis had another movie of the “kill two birds with one stone”mentality as Elvis used the Jungle Room to kick back. To watch big screen movies. And to record. He actually recorded two albums in the Jungle Room being “From Elvis Presley Boulevard Memphis Tennessee” and sadly parts of Elvis’ last album “Moody Blue”.

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Elvis Presleys concert clothes (i.e. jumpsuit) he used for his last concert.

RARE Elvis audio setup at Graceland WOW.jpg

One of Elvis’ state of the art entertainment systems. At the time this unit was consider to be of exceptional quality and was highly desired along with having a premium price tag.

 

graceland-elvis-desk-from-upstairs-office-large-ceramic-dog2

Elvis’ desk. Everything from very personal photos of his, and he did throughout his life, hands on personal charity endeavors to an open bible inside protectorate see through case, a large sculpture of a dog, a piano in the back right corner, Elvis beautiful golden caramel leather chair, and more. 

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Elvis’ furniture upstairs at Graceland (note: the tour at Graceland does not allow access to the upstairs so this photograph rocks).

***************************************** MORE TO COME

 

Marty Lacker (sadly) passes away 2/13/2017

Authored with the expressed written permission of Mr. Jeff Schrembs – 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Man.

I.

Did?.

Man.

This is a tough one.

Learning that Marty Lacker passed away today February 13, 2017 hurts. I can’t even image the pain his family and loved ones are enduring. My prayers go out to them. Each of them.

Yeah this is being posted on http://www.theElvisExpert.com but this is real life. A man died. A man who left behind a family. A man who I and it is hurting me to write this. I don’t know if it is a combination of my own medical trials or the fact that he took the time recently to ask how I was doing and how I was feeling. I am just so very sad.

I can’t think of more to write at this time but when I am able I hope to.

Jeff Schrembs

 

 

1977 Elvis live Unchained Melody

In 1977 I had been an Elvis Presley fan for (approximately) two decades. When I learned, through the “must have” tv viewing essential guide called TV guide which let you know in advance what programs were playing on each tv station time and date, that Elvis’ concert entitled “Elvis in Concert” (i.e. this concert footage was taken on June 19 and June 21 1977) was airing on October 3, 1977 it was a bittersweet reality that this would be the last (known) footage of Elvis onstage…forever.

I, and the nation and much of the world, was still in shock about Elvis dying on August 16, 1977 even though we knew Elvis had been enduring great, and in some cases debilitating, health issues (i.e. mental, physcial, and emotional).

Watching, on a now unthinkably small tv screen that was approximately 24 x 24, Elvis perform on “Elvis in concert” I was shocked to see the adverse effects his medial issues were having. But, I was amazed at his vocal abilities.

If you listened, as I did, to every song on the “Elvis in Concert” album you would be left with the impression that this was a man with incredible vocal range – inflections – feelings – and who was (wholly) unique. Man, he could sing.

Watching “Elvis in concert” it was clear that Elvis gave his heart and soul to his audience as he always had. I believed, and do to this day, that instead of performing (and I knew the incredible financial pressures he was under along with other personal/professional pressures) he should have been under the care of the world’s greatest doctors/hospitals with the never ending mantra from those he loved/trusted being “no amount of money is worth your health Elvis so please please stay committed to these treatments” (note: there is no doubt that many tried, time and again, but Elvis had the desire and ability to obtain medical care and medications…or not. A man cannot be kept from himself and decisions, whether made under duress of not, have consequences). Also, unlike today there were no state of the art treatment facilities where stars and/or those with means could recover without any adverse effect on their careers. The stigma of being labeled “a drug addict” was (in most cases) a kiss of death for one’s career and though I know that Elvis did not consider himself one AND I greatly dislike this connotation associated with Elvis his dependency on medications for very real medical diagnoses were something Elvis dealt with 24/7 and 1977 it had gotten..worse.

Bravely Elvis went before his audience knowing the cameras would be capturing Elvis in ill health but in spite of these hardships he went forth, as he had for decades, and gave the best performance possible.

Via YouTube is the very moving rendition of “Unchained Melody” a song that was previously a national hit for the Everly Brothers among others.

Take care and may God bless you.

 

http://www.ElvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

Elvis Presley & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. January 2017

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The upcoming weeks mark the well deserved federal holiday of Martin Luther King, Jr. “day”. In my opinion Dr. King, Jr. was an incredible leader who put his own well being in jeopardy standing up for not only what was right but to obtain justice for the masses.

I have, on several occasions, read the writings of Dr. King, Jr. and those he wrote while he was in jail (like so many of his writings) were powerful and stirred my emotions. What an incredible leader.

Decades ago I was honored, by marriage, to have stayed in the suite in Washington DC at the Willard Hotel. This was the same suite that Dr. King, Jr. wrote his “I have a dream speech”. Though the wedding took every moment the significance of Dr. King, Jr. being in the same suite was very…humbling. I have great memories of that time, and that love, I (in far too many ways) I took for granted. But, this post is about the connection(s) between Elvis and Dr. King, Jr.

Elvis grew up poor. Elvis never saw one’s color nor did he tolerate those who treated others with anything but respect.

Elvis grew up in the church moved by preachings, the choir, and the church filled. Elvis grew up a southerner and endured everything that being a southern man, at the period in history, entails. Elvis loved the church and was a deeply spiritual man. The same can be said of Dr. King, Jr.

Several firsthand accounts confirm that Elvis had respect, and admiration, for Dr. King, Jr. and his non-violent approach.

On April 4, 1968 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered by a coward. And he was murdered in Elvis’ beloved city of Memphis in Tennessee which upset Elvis greatly. One would think that living in the 1960’s, which I did and all the turmoil and the decade had earlier brought the murder of America’s President John F. Kennedy and months after Dr. Kings’ death came the murder of Robert Kennedy, that “nothing would be shocking” as the country was “numb” by back to back killings bringing anger and uncertainty. But, when it came to the death of Dr. King, Jr. millions of people then and now mourn and that includes this writer.

During the 1960’s Elvis was locked into movie contracts which played out to be approximately three per year. Not many people know that Elvis had to star in movies regardless of the quality, or lack of, the scripts. Elvis had no say over the movies he starred in and the 1960’s were, in many instances, frustrating for Elvis.

Elvis was presented with an opportunity to have a TV special that would air around the Christmas season in 1968. I have written about aspects concerning this special in great detail so what I will say now is that Elvis, with the guidance of the talented producer/director, realized that this was the chance for him to return to a live audience (which he was kept from for approximately 8 years) as well as showcase his first love in entertainment and that was singing/performing.

When the time came, after great momentum, for Elvis to decide how to end the TV Special, which would be sponsored by the Singer sewing company and titled “Elvis”, Elvis wanted to express his feelings. His pulse. His sensitivity. His release from years of pent up anger/frustration. Elvis shared this with Walter Earl Brown, a great song writer, and together they used direct quotes of Dr. Kings, they came up with one of the greatest songs in the world…”if I can dream”.

Not only was the song beautiful but Elvis poured his heart and soul into the song. There are two versions of this song from the 68 special and one was Elvis in front of the audience in black leather and he never looked, or sounded, better. The other was Elvis, dressed in a white 1960’s fashionable suit, singing in front of large red lit letters that spelled out “E L V I S”. The version of Elvis in white is my personal favorite version of this song. I encourage everyone to watch Elvis performing this song and affirm that, with every pore and vocal inflection, Elvis shared a soulful message with the viewing audience all the while paying respect and love to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The TV ratings were a success and catapulted Elvis back into superstardom as a singer/performer. Out of the thousands of songs Elvis knew, and he had a photographic memory, he could not of picked a better song than “if I can dream”. I believe it is one of Elvis’ greatest performances and certainly was a meaningful song for him as a man and as an entertainer.

It is hard, at times, for me to believe that it has been 49 years since Dr. King, Jr. took breath upon this earth. And it has been, as of August 16th of this year (i.e. 2017), 40 years since Elvis took his last breath. Both of these men had failures, shortcomings, and regrets but they were both wholly unique and they rose to infamy for what they stood for – what they believed – and how they chose to live their lives. I miss them both and my prayers are always with the family, and loved ones, of these great men.

Take care and God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org

 

 

 

January 8, 2017 Elvis Presleys’ 82nd birthday

I don’t know why but as the years pass by I find myself often reflecting and, in between having a permanent broken heart and missing/loving/wanting the best for/etc my children, yearning for days gone by when Elvis was filling stadiums and his songs fluttered on the airways.

Now it is January 8, 2017 and the 82nd anniversary of the day he was born. Man, in a few years it will be MORE YEARS PAST THAN ELVIS PRESLEY EVER LIVED. The math on this is that Elvis was 42 years old when he died. As of today it has been 39 years since he (sadly) passed away (August 16, 1977). So, in the next few years it will 43 years since Elvis died versus the 42 years he lived. What a loss. What a…loss.

Graceland, and Priscilla and Lisa Marie, will (in all probability) have a week of acknowledgement filled with events as fans gather from around the world. His beloved home, Graceland, will be open and there will be candle light vigils in remembrance. The tree, whose branch expectantly broke while the members of the “Memphis mafia” were in a car during his funeral/mourning, will still be there as is the wall that fans have been writing on since the 1950’s.

I have Elvis’ music, and other eclectic singers, in every “listening device” including the albums and 45’s (which I have two record players but I don’t want to damage the records which was not the case when I was a child/young man/younger/etc. as I played the grooves off each Elvis record I could get my hands on. Man, what a…loss.

As 2017 rolled around I was heavy hearted thinking about all of the people who (sadly) passed away that were; related to, loved by, trusted by, worked with, etc. Elvis. The same is true with others in the entertainment industry whose passing were worldwide news. But, Elvis had an uncanny ability to surround himself, individually and collectively, with people of quality. Of great intellect and personality. Of being grounded and unique. With sadness, yet respect, I have put their names in memorandum on http://www.ElvisCollector.info. I hope to add much more content to these special people.

While I created http://www.ElvisCollector.info with hesitation and with nothing other than a positive distraction for me far removed from my cancer treatment(s) and my divorce but most of all from the nightmare that is custody/visitation issues. My heart goes out to the children of divorce as well as their parents and loved ones. Back to http://www.ElvisCollector.info.

I have been amazed at how many people visit http://www.ElvisCollector.info each day. Each month. Each year. At one point I put “digital pins” on a “digital map of the world” on my laptop(s). The pins were red and the map was white outlined in black. Before the month was out the red pins were in (literally) every corner of the world. To make things even more joyous the site was ranked, in about 70 different categories, number 1 in many search engines.

I added site content and decided to put “never seen before” photographs along with cool and unique; videos, audio files, photographs, documents, handwriting, personal possessions, etc. pertaining to Elvis. But, I had a few “non-negotiable s” such as; I would not allow anything about Lisa Marie (out of respect as she has her own forums to do so if she wants), I would not allow anything about anyone Elvis dated other than Priscilla (this was a hard decision for me as so many of those Elvis dated are INCREDIBLE people including  Linda Thompson, Sandie Kaye Stevens, Kathy Westmoreland, etc.) for the same reason pertaining to Lisa Marie, I would not allow anything to be sold/offered for sale, I would not allow any ads, I would not allow any pop-ups, I would put things on the site that were interesting to me, I would write original stories/articles about Elvis onstage and off, I would put an emphasis on the visual (photographs, videos, etc.), I would put Elvis’ life onstage and off told by FACTS and in context, and I would keep the format simple yet compelling.

I also wanted fans to know about other sites, and person(s) (including but not limited to Russ Howe, Paul Litcher, Phil Arnold, Sandie Kaye Stevens, Sandi Pichon, Marty Lacker, Alanna Nash, etc.), about Elvis. Now, I have very high standards, as has been the case since the late 60’s, but these sites/people are truly deserving to be recognized. I hope people check out every site/person listed as they are worth the “click” and the “time”.

Well, I’m off to knock out a few chores/errands but here are a few cool things that I hope your enjoy.

Please visit, and share via social media and verbally, http://www.ElvisCollector.info and http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (please BOOKMARK as the name is sooooo long and typing it over and over will give you carpal tunnel) the Elvis Presley forum that is 100% free to join. Please note that the forum is still in the “beta testing” realm and hopefully 2017 will be the year it is up to par with my expectations.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Take care and may God bless you and yours always.

Jeff Schrembs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Esposito, Elvis’ friend, died November 23, 2016

Image result for elvis with joe esposito 1967 It is with a heavy heart that I learned that Joe Esposito died on November 23, 2016 at the age of 78.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, loved ones, friends, etc.. May God grant them time to mourn. Time to heal (as best as is humanly possible). And always recall/remember the acts, passions, simple gestures, etc. of Joe Esposito.

Elvis Presley met Joe while in the US Army in 1958 and their friendship grew with Elvs ultimately offering Joe a job working with Elvis upon their discharge(s) in 1960. And during Elvis wedding in 1967 he was “co best man” with Marty Lacker who is a priceless asset to the Elvis Presley community worldwide along with being an exceptional man with an exceptional family.

Joe Esposito was one of the “Memphis Mafia” the nickname given to Elvis’ entourage during the 1960’s.

We will be adding (sadly) this information to our Elvis Presley website http://www.ElvisCollector.info along with so many other quality individuals who have (sadly) passed away over the years.

There are those living who Elvis loved, cared for, befriended, trusted, etc. They are including but not limited to; Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Kathy Westmoreland, etc. I encourage everyone to seek these individuals out. To support them in all of their professional endeavors. To let them know how much you appreciate their firsthand accounts of being with Elvis onstage and off for decades. To promote healing within the Elvis Presley community so that we can cherish/focus on the facts, good and not so good, about Elvis the man and Elvis the performer.

Joe Esposito you will be missed. But, you will never be forgotten.

Take care and may God bless you.

 

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org