An exceptional article about Elvis and Lieber & Stroller by Variety

Mike Stoller on Writing ‘Hound Dog,’ ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ More Elvis Hits – Variety

The latest Elvis movie

Hollywood has revisited the life story of Elvis Presley and the costumes, and sets, are spot on. The movie goes back and forth in time and takes liberties with facts. Some things are just…wrong. But, if it brings an appreciation of Elvis the man, and the performer, then I’m all for it,

Sometimes knowing too much about a topic, as I do Elvis, adversely affects the experience of watching a 2 1/2 hour film. It did in this case.

While no one before, now, or will ever have the looks – the style – the magnetism – the life experiences – how complicated he was – etc of Elvis the actor gives his all. Good for him.

I also think it is not fair to expect a movie to go into the entire career of Elvis which spanned 3 decades.

Most of all this movie made me want to go to the original sources as I continue to appreciate Elvis onstage and off as I have these 7 decades.

Take care and may God bless you and yours always.

Jeff Schrembs

2022 – All Rights Reserved

January 8th (2022) Elvis Presley’s birthday

In a few days, it will be January the 8th (2022) which is the 87th anniversary of the birth of Elvis Aron Presley (he was born in 1935).

Graceland will have visitors from around the world as it has had since its opening in 1982. Elvis’ music will be on the airways. His movies will be on television. Elvis fans around the world will acknowledge this day. Those curious about Elvis will utilize their search engines online or go old school and go to the library. Some fortunate enough will ask others, like this man, about Elvis and how it was when Elvis lived on this earth and dominated the entertainment field. I often feel kinda sorry for those who never were around to truly get to be living breathing Elvis Presley fan during his career and remarkable life.

Lisa Marie may appear or she may release a statement. Priscilla will most certainly do the same. My prayers go out to them and their family members.

Many in the “Elvis Presley community” will converse and share insights and firsthand stories about Elvis.

For those reading this if you have not yet done so, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you seek out – support – purchase their works – visit their websites – watch their videos – etc. these unique and exemplary people who are exceptional sources concerning the life of Elvis such as; Billy Smith, Jo Smith, Alanna Nash, Russ Howe, Steve Binder, Paul Lichter, Larry Geller, Jerry Schilling, Linda Thompson, Ginger Alden, Kathy Westmoreland, Betty Harper, and Sandie Kay Stevens.

Personally, I will think about what life would have been like had Elvis been with us longer. I will reflect on his failing health. His career. His love of his mother. How he influenced millions. His wonderful 4 1/2 octave vocal range. How he cared about others in need. His loyalty. His triumphs and his failures. His style. His vocal inflections. His 3 decades of works. His legacy. His loves. His compassion. His charitable endeavors. And I will revisit my own personal memories.

I wish you all a healthy, blessed, and happy 2022.

Take care and may God bless you and yours always.

Jeff Schrembs

PS: THANK YOU Jack Soden for all you have done and do for Elvis Presley fans worldwide.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas 2021

I have always said that Elvis Presley fans have great taste and are the most loyal fans.

I want to wish everyone a safe, happy, blessed, and Merry Christmas 2021.

May this holiday season bring you great comfort and joy.

Take care and may God bless you always.

Jeff Schrembs

Being an Elvis Presley fan during 1/1/77 – 8/15/77 (updated)

Man, somedays it seems like it was yesterday and other days it seems like an eternity.

This is one of the harder posts I’ve made in all these decades.

We knew Elvis had gained weight and didn’t look his best. We saw constant photographs and there were times he wasn’t as swollen and yet more times he was so swollen it almost brought you to your knees.

It wasn’t cool to be an Elvis Presley fan in 1977 nor had it been for years. Yes, we bought all his records including the garage of re-issues. We still loved his music but longed for the days when he was in better health. But, through it all, he always had the gift from God of having a 4 1/2 octave range and he showed it off in concerts and on vinyl.

Elvis was still selling out stadiums across America as he had for 8 years. Remarkable. He should have been financially set for life but between Colonel Parker, never taking tax write-offs, and his spending habits that were not the case. But there were whispers that Elvis felt an obligation to his fans, to his employees, to Lisa Marie, to RCA, and with all this pressure he buckled down and went on tour. Time after time after time. How Elvis pulled this off is beyond my comprehension other than he was given gifts from God and he used them throughout his life and he was to leave to go on tour later the (sad) following day of August 16, 1977 the day Elvis Aron Presley died.

I specifically recall the last concert he performed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1977. He was very bloated and yet his infamous suit(s) help hide the weight along with ace bandages which were tightly wrapped around him so that he could fit into his (since 1976) altered suit. But from the time the Sweet Inspirations hit the stage to the sound of 2001 A Space Odyssey came the excitement was building and just when you thought you couldn’t stand it anymore, with the constant screaming there stood the remarkable man still young (looking back in hindsight only 3 years removed from his 30’s) with his infamous guitar and that…voice. There wasn’t before, during, or since Elvis Presley became an entertainer that anyone could touch his stage presence. This was before auto-tune. Before multi-million dollar stage gimmicks. Before lip-singing onstage. No backup dancers to draw your attention away from talented, yet boring, performers. Elvis just needed a stage and an audience and he rocked out.

I was going through some magazines from 1976 and 1977, before he died, along with other collectibles concerning Elvis and there was vitriol for sure but there was also respect, appreciation, and fans galore.

  • NOTE – I have to go now for this is too emotional. I will finish it in the upcoming future.

WHY WE REMEMBER ELVIS PRESLEY (by Jeff Schrembs)

Why we remember Elvis Presley (by Jeff Schrembs All Rights Reserved

I received an email recently that was “unassigned” but asked my opinion in response to a simple question of “Why do we remember Elvis (Presley)”? At first glance, I thought….terrible question….waste of time to respond…far too…simple. But then I thought a little more and not only sent a written response but thanked the anonymous e mailer for their pertinent question.
The answer to “Why do we remember Elvis Presley” is oxymoronic in the sense of being both easy to answer and yet, on many levels, much more complex. Let me explain by giving just a few reasons.
The story of Elvis Presley, shared by word of mouth or by those who knew him (i.e. Charlie Hodge, Marty Lacker, Sonny West, Red West, Sandi Pichon, Joe Esposito, Lamar Fike, Priscilla, Lisa Marie, etc.) or by some wonderful authors such as Alanna Nash or by fans Worldwide, is one of great; poverty, inspiration, human frailties, wealth, loss, faith in God, belief in helping our fellow man, talent, blessings, love, pain(s), turmoil, and even life lessons.
Elvis Aron Presley, yes I use the spelling of his middle name as it was listed on his birth certificate, was a man who walked among us – who dreamed – who worked extremely hard – who was a loyal friend – who was quick to temper yet even quicker to reach out to help – who gave of his time and of his heart – and whose story I could spend the rest of my life writing about and never do his story or his life or his accomplishments…justice.
I have always believed so many things my Grandfather taught/told me. One of the “words of wisdom”, which I cherish to this day, was in response to my being “sad” that Elvis died (i.e. circa 1977) on August 16, 1977, when I was a teenager. Part of the dialog I still recall was “if more than 1 person remembers your name, or your passions, a year after your death you are a blessed man indeed”. He also shared that “a man can be measured, in part, by the quality of the company he keeps in public but more so in private”. These words, I believe, are part of the reasons why we remember Elvis Presley.
The quality of those who knew Elvis best were among the most talented, most loyal, most passionate, and most giving people one could ever have the honor of meeting. From Charlie Hodge to Marty Lacker to Sonny and Red West to Joe Esposito to Gladys Presley to Lisa Marie to Jerry Schilling to Sandi Pichon each of these people agrees that Elvis had qualities (and faults) that rendered him; the greatest entertainer who ever lived, an original in style/actions/mannerisms, unbelievably talented, and a truly unique person who they love – think of – and miss every moment of every day. Though Elvis “fans” may try to divide this group of individuals I remain steadfast in my resolve that context matters and if “it was good enough for Elvis to spend a minute of his time, let alone decades, then it is good enough for me”.
I also believe that another reason why we remember Elvis is that he used his God-given talents not only to (initially) enhance his Mother and Fathers standard of living but to help others he knew firsthand and so many more he learned about (i.e. on the TV, in the newspaper, or who were deemed to be in need and Elvis agreed to help monetarily) who were facing hardships (i.e. widowed family of a slain police officer, disabled persons, charity organizations, people who lost their possessions in a tornado, etc.). I have always said, and believed, that the greatest gift one can give is; from their heart and of their time. In the case of Elvis Presley, he did both and he did so with…grace.
At the height of his fame Elvis was drafted into the US Army (note: he received his draft notice by hand delivery during the week of Christmas 1957) and opted to forgo the comfort of doing “promotions for the US Military” and stood fast in this desire to be treated “like every other solider”. Through great hardships (i.e. being away from his family for the first time, losing millions in earnings, losing his beloved Mother Gladys on August 14, 1958, etc.) Elvis spent (approximately) two years in the US Army and earned the respect of his fellow military personnel but also from critics who had (falsely) believed that Elvis was contributing to juvenile delinquency and/or was not a Christian.
Another of the reasons we should remember Elvis is that he wore his heart on his sleeve (caution metaphor) and when he loved…he loved. When he was angry….the nickname “crazy” was applicable. When he cared tears were sure to come followed by grace, words of comfort, and so many times monetary contributions. Elvis shocked the World when he married Priscilla on May 1, 1967, and when the marriage deteriorated (note: I have written before about how Elvis and Priscilla both contributed to the marriage ending BUT I am biased towards Elvis “side” admittingly) he faced the cameras walking down the corridor/steps on October 9, 1973, and for months prior/during/afterward he recorded songs that reflected his hurt…his pain…his love. Among the applicable songs were; Always On My Mind, Separate Ways, It’s Over, I’ve Lost You, My Boy, Don’t Cry Daddy, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, etc.).
Part of what made Elvis “great” was that he never gave up and he had, including but not limited to, at least (four) MAJOR COMEBACKS that would have been career-ending for 99.9% of the general population. The first was when he was turned down by the Grand Ole Opry, which Elvis had “grown up on” and respected artist who performed there and told to “go back to driving a truck”. The second was when he went into the Army (i.e. from 1958 through 1960) unsure if he would even have a career to return to either in music or in the movies. The third was during the 1960s after he had completed his contractual obligations for movies and regained his rightful place as a great singer/entertainer by the incomparable and exceptional ’68 Singer Special entitled “Elvis” (aka 1968 Special, ’68 Special, Comeback Special, Elvis Comeback Special, etc.). The last “comeback” was after America, the World, and his fans first learned that Elvis was…human. That Elvis had marital problems. That Elvis had health issues. That Elvis took prescription medications. That Elvis was sad and he wrote notes/letters during the mid to late 1970s that were heartfelt and…moving. And yet in many ways learning that Elvis was “human” not only further endeared him to his fans, and I among them, but made us appreciate Elvis more for not giving up and for sharing his wonderful voice and stage presence throughout the United States via his live performances/concerts.
A more subtle part of “why we should remember Elvis” is that he loved, respected, admired, and appreciated performers of quality. Elvis listened to, collected, and played over and over musical styles ranging from Gospel to Opera to Rhythm and Blues to County to Folk and even to Rock and Roll. Elvis, through his life and through his actions, looked past the color of the person (which was how the press and far too many focused on during the 1950s-1970s and in some cases – sadly – even today) and surrounded himself professionally with the “best of the best” onstage. If anyone questions this set of facts one only needs to “Google” Myrna Smith and watch the videos of her talking about her relationship with Elvis personally and professionally. Sadly, like Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Charlie Hodge, etc. before her Myrna Smith passed away and this World lost a person of quality who, like Elvis himself, remains…irreplaceable.
Elvis left us three decades of quality work products. From TV appearances to music recordings to movies to live appearances to hundreds of thousands of photographs Elvis is seen through the prism of truth and that being of him doing his best, many times through trials and tribulations, and reaching heights deemed “unattainable” and he even had a public “stumbles” along the way. Throughout it all Elvis stayed true to himself and true to his faith in God.
Each of these examples is a small part of the “puzzle of Elvis Aron Presley”. He left us with his beloved daughter, Lisa Marie, and many friends/loved ones who remain (in my opinion) priceless living breathing parts of Elvis life who should be supported in each of their endeavors and “officially recognized” for their part(s) in the life of the man – the performer – and the legend that is Elvis Aron Presley.
Throughout our grief, which began on August 16, 1977, and remains to this day, Elvis taught us that life is…short. That in the (literal) “blink of the eye” Elvis left his World taking away from us a man of innumerable talents and who even these (approximately) four decades later is admired and respected Worldwide.
On a personal note, I remember Elvis for these reasons and so many many…more. I can recall the day I first heard Elvis’ latest release. I can recall times when the mailbox brought a new collectible, a new letter, or some cool promotional material. I played time and time and time again certain songs when I was happy and equally as impressionable when I was sad. I listened to Elvis’ vocal cords reach octaves of beauty and somehow/someway knowing Elvis sang words relevant to what I was going through I was left with the distinct acceptance that is would be…all right.
We share our memories, insights, thoughts, and words about Elvis online – in private – and in public forums. Some take the approach that they can recall obscure facts about Elvis’s life. Some use their positions to solely make money off the name “Elvis” and, as far as I am concerned, nothing is wrong with that as long as it is honest/disclosed. Some try to minimize the expertise of other Elvis Fans and hide behind fake names/websites. Some try to advance the lie that Elvis is still alive. While others spend their life rebuilding while never letting go of their relationship with Elvis…nor should they.
Elvis is part of millions of people worldwide. Elvis is also “regional” (I..e the South, Memphis, Tennessee, Mississippi, etc.). Elvis is also universal. Elvis can’t be categorized and yet…in some ways he can. Elvis will never be “copied”, and his talents done justice, but that doesn’t stop thousands from trying. So much of this World will never fully comprehend what the World was like with Elvis was in it or what it was like when a “new generation” put their efforts into the Beatles or the “Beach sounds” or the “English Invasion” and in the 1970’s sounds from hard rock to disco to “tech”. They can never know what it was like to be an Elvis fan when so many thought it was…” uncool”. Those same naysayers were among the first to cry when word came to them that Elvis had passed away. In some ways, Elvis was taken for granted and we, individually and collectively, should have let him know exactly what he meant to us. We are, and were, left with the burdens of the “what if(s)”.
Honestly, Elvis can never be explained, in totality and even to those who were there discrepancies exist. In a World where hand-held computers/phones take the place of social interaction, and companies are built making billions of dollars but don’t create anything “tangible”, there is a tendency to try to put Elvis into certain “boxes”. Elvis is far too complex to neatly fit into anything but his story is one of the American Dream and one of the decades of excellence. Nonetheless, Elvis Aron Presley’s “boy my boy” is a fascinating subject matter (in every conceivable aspect) warranting questions from all over the World to be answered even if they, at first glance, seem….simplistic.
Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs
http://www.elviscollector.info/

Elvis Presley and banning his peacocks from Graceland

Here is a great article about Elvis banning his Peacocks from Graceland.

Here is the direct link:

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1399169/Elvis-Presley-peacocks-stained-glass-Memphis-Zoo-Elvis-Gold-Cadillac

Video/Audio Elvis in his own words

Why Elvis Presley’s legacy is in trouble

 

1956 Elvis boarding private plane American Airlenes  I have always liked, and respected, Elvis Presley onstage and more importantly offstage.

I’ve spent, thank you chronic sleep apena, thousands upon thousands upon thousands of hours; collecting, cataloging, converting to digital formats, etc. so many photographs – videos – recordings – books – handwriting/letters/notes/etc. And yet I have never once monetized my collection or my knowledge.

Elvis Presley’s legacy is in trouble because those such as Billy (Elvis’ cousin who was Elvis’ trusted friend and beloved cousin) & Jo Smith have not been formally recognized, respected, and honored as PRICELESS assets. This is an abomination that is decades in the making and it needs to stop…now.

Elvis Presley’s legacy is in trouble because people my age and even older were the LAST generation who grew up during Elvis’, whole and/or in part, career (i.e. 1954-1977). Those who shared their memories and knowledge. Those who shared their facts and favorites with fans locally and around the world. Those who paid their hard earned money to go to see him in concert and/or in movie theatres. Those who revealed in Elvis’ successes and understood his failures and even his being…human. These are the people who are (sadly) dying in record numbers. Each is irreplaceable and my heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones

Elvis’ Presley’s legacy

…to be continued

Elvis was raw

Yeah I said it

Elvis was raw and from 1956-1958 the world witnessed it as they did in 1968 and 1969.

But, through the beauty of video and audio recordings, we can see it and hear it for ourselves.

You want the polished Elvis? Well, Toodie there never would have been any type of polished Elvis without the raw Elvis and the raw Elvis was the driving force. The basking in the martial arts, the legendary anger that warranted his nickname “fire-eyes”, and his ability to send you to the roof with energy, and yeah he did that all his life, but down back again with his ballads but behind those blue/brown/green eyes was always a fuse and onstage and before tv cameras it was lit. Gloriously lit.

Here is my top 7 Elvis raw examples in no order;

Tiger man

Trouble

Hound Dog (1956, 1957)

Baby, I don’t care

Mean woman blues

Shake, rattle, and roll

WM Elvis with fruthters rare canddiWM CHILDHOOD RARE Elvis standing with Gladys VernonWM 1971 Elvis with sweets RARERERRERERERERERERERWM 1970 Houston Livestock show Elvis onstage rareraerearerareaWM 1969 Elvis with Prisiclla RAREnbrownWM 1967 Elvis with Priscilla RARE E playhin cigarWM 1956 RARE candid Elvis wearing Brando hat quite the look

 

PS:   Contrary to John Lennon’s statement of “the Army killed Elvis”, aaaggghhhhh, what is a truth is that the Army caused Gladys to die (sooner) and her death killed Elvis in many ways but what was left – and what was to come – would be utter magic and he is missed. Man, he is missed.

 

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