RARE handwriting, with signature, of Elvis Presley. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jeffrey Schrembs.

On our website, http://www.ElvisCollector.info, we have a page entitled “about us”. On this page we pay homage to those who were close to Elvis and have (sadly) passed away. Needless to say, our eternal thoughts and prayers go out to their loved ones, family, friends, etc.

We hope to add more information about this, individually and collectively, exceptional people on our website as quality content (i.e. rare, unique, cool, exclusive, original articles by the Elvis Presley collector Jeff Schrembs).

Please excuse the wierd font and spacing below.

In no specific order they are (note on http://www.ElvisCollector.info we have photographs of each person so please check it out and share this blog, and our websites, via social media);

CONDOLENCES, RESPECT, APPRECIATION, LOVE, and PRAYERS ALWAYS TO:

the friends, the family members, and the love ones concerning   Todd Morgan (of EPE) who passed away at the age of 45 on March 1, 2008.

I had the HONOR of befriending Todd dating back to his first few years at EPE during the 1980s. Todd was a WONDERFUL – HONEST – HARDWORKING – PROFESSIONAL. He was a TREMENDOUS asset to EPE and he will be missed…forever.

Our heartfelt thanks, prayers, and thoughts (eternally) go out to your loved ones, friends, and family members as well. We will never forget the relationships you had with Elvis and we say “thank you” for any/all contributions you have made (i.e. verbally, in writing, in person, on the radio, on TV, in book form, on DVD, on CD, etc.) concerning the life (onstage and off) of Elvis Presley.

In no specific order we remember now;       Elvis Aron Presley,

   Vernon Elvis Presley (Elvis’ Father),    Gladys Love Presley (Elvis’ beloved Mother),        Minnie Mae

Presley (aka: Dodger Elvis Grandmother and Vernon’s’ Mother),  Jesse

Garon Presley (Elvis’ twin brother born before Elvis as a “stillborn child”),  

Charlie Hodge (Elvis’ friend and his onstage “right hand man who gave Elvis his water and his scarfs”),   JD Sumner (Elvis loved his deep voice and is credited with hitting the

“lowest note” ever recorded who also sang back up with Elvis onstage for years via JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet) and   Lamar Fike (who passed away January 22,

2011 at the age of 75) who was Elvis’ beloved friend of (approx.) twenty years and was Elvis’

“lighting manager” for Elvis’ Concerts and a source/recipient of Elvis’ humor.

 Janelle McComb (who passed away July 25, 2005 at the age of 84). From EPE –  Janelle McComb died on July 25 in Tupelo due to a congestive heart failure. Janelle was a friend of the Presley family since Elvis was four years old and remained close to Priscilla and Lisa Marie. As far as know, Janelle was 84 years old and was the driving force behind the Tupelo Youth Center, the renovation of the birthplace, the construction of the museum and the Elvis memorial Chapel. Janelle possessed a treasure of letters, notes and pictures from Elvis, which were never made public.Few fans know that Janelle was a gifted writer herself. For Lisa’s 4th birthday, she wrote a poem, called The Priceless Gift. Elvis was so touched by it, that tears filled his eyes. In fact, he was so impressed that he commissioned a second poem in 1976, this time as a Christmas gift for his father. One year later, shortly after Elvis had passed away, it was Vernon’s turn to call on Janelle, and ask her if she could write a poem for the gravestone. Janelle did, and it’s that poem that millions of fans all over the world have read in the Meditation Garden. Later, when the Eternal Flame was installed,

      Now (i.e. Thursday October 27, 2011)   Patti Parry (sadly) has

died. Patti was a beloved, and trusted, trusted friend to Elvis for 17 years. Patti, like so many

unique and talented people associated with Elvis will be (forever); missed, mourned, celebrated for

their lives,  and loved.

 John Wilkinson John Wilkerson died, on January 11, 2013 at age 67, after battling cancer. John was a remarkably talented musician and played with Elvis for nine years and up to Elvis’ death in August of 1977.

 Al Wertheimer died on October 20, 2014. Mr. Wertheimer was a professional photographer who captured exceptional photographs of Elvis in 1956. In this photo he is holding his most famous Elvis photograph entitled “the kiss”. 

Millie Kirkham died on December 14, 2014. Millie, the angelic soprano, began recording with Elvis during the Blue Christmas session in 1957. Millie worked with Elvis in the 1960s on various movie soundtracks. When Elvis returned to live performing he reached out to Millie, who was a Nashville staple of excellence, to join him in Las Vegas. She accepted and her beautiful voice, and talents, were showcased during the 1970 documentary That’s The Way It Is.

 Joe Guercio died on January 6, 2015. Joe was not only the conductor of the orchestra during Elvis’ live appearances from 1970 until 1977 but also a trusted friend of Elvis. 

 Alan E. Fortas died on September 23, 1992. Elvis and Alan became friends after Alan was introduced to Elvis at Graceland in Memphis in 1955. Alan worked with Elvis from 1956 through 1968. Alan was the only member of the Memphis Mafia to be captured on film for the 1968 Singer Special entitled Elvis. This special is known as the “comeback special” the “68 special”, etc. Alan left Elvis’ employ in 1968 due to the burdens of travel but he remained friends with Elvis throughout Elvis’ life.

  Joe Moscheo  died on January 11, 2016 at the age of 79. Joe not only was a friend of Elvis’ since 1966 but was a part of the group “the Imperials” who sang backup to Elvis during Elvis’ initial concerts in Las Vegas from 1969 until 1972. He, and the Imperials, also were on many of Elvis’ recordings during these time periods.

SCOTTY MOORE – he (sadly) died on June 28, 2016 at the age of  84 in his home in Nashville, Tennessee. Scotty Moore, in this 1955 promo photo is on Elvis’ RIGHT (picture circa 1955). Scotty Moore was an established professional musician with a hard work ethic and was a very good guitar player in high demand. Scotty Moore played with Elvis, and Scottys friend and bandmate Bill Back, from Elvis’ first professional recording session at Sun Records in Memphis Tennessee which was owned by Sam Phillips. The first jam session, with Elvis – Scotty – Bill, did not go well and after Elvis left (disappointed as he knew he could do way better) Sam asked Scotty “what do you think”? and Scotty responded with a “he has a good voice but he is raw but he knows a lot of songs of all kinds. Sam asked Scotty if he would be willing to get together with Elvis and Bill again in a few days. Sam knew that Scotty would not waste his time, as he had a job and a band and a wife, and Scotty said “yes”. It was at that second session where Elvis, with Scotty and Bill, changed music and culture…forever. Also, Scotty Moore was Elvis’ first official manager.

They, individually and collectively, will never forgotten as they remain forever in each of our hearts

and we miss them daily.

We continue to have the family members, friends, and loved ones of each of these individuals in our

thoughts and prayers. May God allow you the time to heal and may your pain be gradually replaced

with fond memories now…and each day hereafter. May there come a day when all of us will be

reunited on the “other side” and what a glorious day that will be.

We encourage everyone to reach out, support, give thanks to, thank their family members, etc. those who were close to Elvis onstage and off for they were firsthand witnesses and they are priceless assets to the Elvis Presley community. Thank you.

Take care and may God bless you and yours…always.

http://www.ElvisCollector.info  (the premier Elvis Presley website)

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (the premier Elvis Presley fan forum in beta testing phase).