Why God took Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977 (part 1)

BIO Elvis with Gladys and Vernon teh WelcomeHome Tupelo concert cndidd  My heart, and prayers, remain with the; family members, friends, relatives, loved ones, etc. pertaining to Elvis Presley and his passing on August 16, 1977. I can’t imagine their burden nor their loss.

It has taken me (approximately) six decades now to formulate this post which is based up (literally) thousands of books, audio files, documents, interviews, conversations, emails, first hand account, real documentaries, etc. I have always put a premium on eyewitnesses, factual sources, facts, and context. No sensationalism. No monetary endeavors. Just me passing along unique/cool/rare/ content as I do on these posts and on http://www.ElvisCollector.info (premier Elvis Presley website with exceptional content) and/or http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (100% free Elvis Presley forum and though it remains in the beta testing stage we invite you to join).

To address the subject line of this post “Why God took Elvis Presley on August 16, 1977” we must look back to the day of his birth of January 8, 1935.

Gladys Love (Smith) Presley and Vernon Elvis Presley knew they were having a baby. One baby. They had no idea if it was a boy or a girl they just prayed for a healthy child. They even picked out names if it was a boy or a girl. I know the name they chose if it was a girl but that is not my story to convey publicly. But, the boy was to be named Jessie Garon Presley.

When Gladys went into labor a boy was delivered and it was perfectly formed except it (sadly) was not breathing. Gladys and Vernon were empty, lost, and consumed by their sorrow.

As the doctor, who back then made house calls, was gathering his things to leave Gladys said “I think there is another one”. The doctor, against his better judgement, did an examination and confirmed. An identical twin to Jessie was born, healthy, and breathing, and though their tears reigned their hearts gave thanks to God but they had a dilemma and that was “what to name this baby”? After all the doctor needed a name to put on the certificate/paperwork.

Within moments they settled on Elvis, which was Elvis’ fathers middle name, and Aaron which rhymed with “Garon” and paid homage to the biblical Aaron the older brother of Moses.

On January 8, 1935 through the stench of death and loss Elvis Aaron Presley was born into the world void of wealth, monetary means, but loved as much as any mother…ever. Vernon, in his own ways, loved Elvis but the love and bond between Gladys and Elvis started in the womb and would last (sadly) until her last breath.

To be continued…

Rare 1972 video Elvis receiving 2 gold records

Via YouTube comes this exceptionally rare video of Elvis (1) showing off his humor while trying to tie the LARGEST tie of all time and (2) receiving two gold records from RCA for Elvis’ Madison Square Garden album and for the 45 single “words” which was written by one of the Bee Gees.

Enjoy:

List of Elvis Presley’s girlfriends w/photos

Courtesy of YouTube comes an interesting list of the “girlfriends of Elvis”.

Please share this post, this blog, http://www.ElvisCollector.info (the premier Elvis Presley website with rare content), http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org (100% free Elvis Presley fan forum and we invite you to become a member).

Take care and may God bless you.

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Elvis Presley’s Jaycees Award & Speech 1971 (rare footage = WOW)

Elvis Presley was nominated, and won, the coveted award from the Jaycees and here are the details courtesy of usjayceefoundation.org;

The inaugural class of TOYM recipients in 1938, announced in January 1939 by Future Magazine, still ranks as one of the most famous. Included were: George Gallop, pollster; Elmer Layden, football coach; Howard Hughes, business and aviation; Douglas Corrigan, aviation; and Rudy Valee and Orson Wells, entertainers. A 1939 TOYM group was never selected but in 1940 and every year until 1973 a TOYM group was selected for a year and recognized the next year. There were no winners for 1972. In 1973, the TOYM event was revised to honor the designates for the current, rather than the previous year. Because of this change, there were no winners for 1972. Since 1973, the tradition of recognizing outstanding young people for the year in which awarded has continued.

Currently, candidates must be United States citizens, age 18 through 40, who exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people, the Jaycee Creed and dedication to a better nation. Thousands of nomination forms have been distributed each year before judging panels reduce the field to 20 candidates and then select the final 10. Currently the awards program is conducted each year in March at the United States Jaycees National Meeting.

To understand the magnitude of the award in the eyes of those who have received it consider this story: Elvis Presley TOYM 1970

Accepting the Jaycee Honor “Terrified Presley” read the headline in the Memphis Press-Scimitar. The “King” was shakin’ backstage, but no tin the manner that most people would have thought, as excerpts from the newspaper story show:

“Elvis Presley stood in the wings at the Auditorium in memphis on January 18, 1971, and admitted he was ‘terrified.'”

“He was perspiring profusely and his head was hanging low as he awaited his turn on stage as one of the United States jaycees 10 Outstanding Young Men of America for 1970.”

“‘I’m scared to death.’ he told Frank C. Taylor, chairman of the Outstanding Young Men (sic), who reminded the superstar that he had appeared hundreds of times before much larger crowds. ‘Yeah but not like this,’ Elvis replied.

“‘It was a different plateau for him,’ Taylor said. ‘For the first time, he was being paced on the level with achievers in realms other than entertainment, and for the first time Elvis felt he was being accepted like a true professional. He like the association of being given such an honor along with those nine other guys, and he was impressed by their tremendous abilities. And none of the others singled Elvis out for adulation more than any other, and he liked that too.”

When Elvis’ turn came, he took his place at the podium and looked back at the other winners seated on stage. With a sweeping gesture, he said: ‘These men may be the Kingdom of God.'”

“The famous voice cracked, he could not go on.”Elvis at podium

“‘He was the only one to have genuine tears in his eyes and to break up,’ Taylor said.

“Elvis stopped, stepped back for a second, regrouped himself and spoke again.”

“‘Without a song, the day would never end, without a song, a man ain’t got a friend,’ the famous singer said, quoting a classic song.”

“Then he ended with difficulty, saying humbly: ‘So I’ll just keep on singing my song.'”

Elvis always consider the Jaycee Awards as his most valued achievement. The honor was so important to Elvis, he was there to receive it in person labored weeks over his now famous speech. The Jaycee Award was one of the few trophies that Elvis received during his lifetime that held a special place. It represented Elvis initiation into the mainstream, acceptance by his peers for his contributions as a humanitarian and entertainer. His Ten Outstanding Young Men trophy, as well as the tuxedo he wore to the ceremony that night, have been kept on display at his Memphis home, Graceland and is seen by thousands of visitors every day.

Courtesy of YouTube comes part of the video pertaining to Elvis receiving this award that Elvis not only was humbled by but actually opted to appear in person, with Priscilla and members of his family and Memphis Mafia, to accept the award and give one of his most iconic and heartfelt speeches.

Happy 105th birthday to Gladys Presley

* Original story by Jeff Schrembs 2017 All Rights Reserved & published with the       expressed written permission of Mr. Jeffery Schrembs

WM Gladys BIRTHDAY         April 25, 2017 is the 105th birthday of Gladys Love (Smith) Presley who most know as the beloved mother of Elvis Presley. Hence Gladys was born on April 25, 1912 and (sadly) died on August 14, 1958 at the age (that everyone believed was right/truthful/correct/etc.) of 42 years old. However, she died at the age of 46 years old on August 14, 1958.

Depending on the source(s) the reason Gladys changed her age was; in order to marry Vernon Presley and becoming a closer  age of Vernon, to seemingly appear to be younger to her friends/fellow church members/etc., because she was illiterate (i.e. could not read, could not write, could not drive a car, never had a drivers license, etc.), and/or to maximize benefits to what extent has been lost to history. *** Note – I recommend, and encourage, everyone to seek out – purchase – read – tell others about – etc. the exceptional books about Elvis/Gladys/Vernon/Memphis Mafia/etc. by Alanna Nash which shed some light on these subject matters. Here is the link via Amazon Author Alanna Nash’s books on Amazon

I have, over a time span of approximately six years, viewed/read/listened to/ etc. just about everything related to Gladys, Vernon, and Elvis. Looking at her pictures as a young woman you see a dark haired, dark eyed, vert attractive young woman, favorable complexion, youth radiating from her skin,  with a desirable figure ( no disrespect intended just stating a fact) and a smile that invites you into her…soul. Very beautiful, individually and collectively, photographs which clearly show the similarities to Elvis.

Other photographs, taken after Elvis received his Official United States Military Draft notice which was served on the 3rd week in December of 1957 their first Christmas at Graceland, show every emotion in her face (swollen with reddish imprints that allowed her tears and lack of sleep to be channeled away from her eyes) .

The days leading up to Elvis’ being physically drafted into the US Military, and initially reporting to basic training in Texas for the US Army but ultimately being ordered to be assigned to Germany, tore into Gladys with great pains. Great tournament. Great uncertainty. Great worry. And even triggering  the horrendous events of January 8, 1935 when her firstborn son Jessie Garon Presley was born “stillborn” meaning he was born dead. Also, triggering her inconsolable heartbreak over losing another child a few years after Elvis was born (Note – Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 and was the second child delivered with Jessie Garon Presley being stillborn). Then came the life changing news, from her doctor, that she would never again be able to carry a child to term which meant never being able to have another child. This is but one of the reasons from the special relationship between Gladys and Elvis which included her unrelenting love/devotion to Elvis and vice versa.

There is so much to write about concerning Gladys so THANK YOU for visiting and please let others know about this site, http://www.ElvisCollector.info our primary and award winning Elvis Presley website, http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums,org the premier Elvis Presley forum, and join (for free) the Official Elvis Presley fan club designated by Graceland (a fact we truly appreciate),

To be continued…

Take care and may God bless you

 

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.ElvisCollector.info  (100% free)

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Elvis Collector Worldwide the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club (100% free)

And our various WordPress, Blogger, Google +,  websites/posts. And we say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone @ http://www.WordPress for having a great website and for allowing people, like me, to have an avenue to share my collection, thoughts, experience, and facts about my own personal life and other blogs about Elvis Presley onstage and off. GREAT JOB everyone @ http://www.WordPress.com.

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

Elvis Presley a lifelong appreciation

PUBLISHED WITH THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION OF MR JEFFERY SCHREMBS

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I have had great things occur in my life (i.e. marriage, children, grandchildren, friends, family, passions, etc.) as well as setbacks and soul wrenching…losses.

I have lived in various parts of the  United States that, growing up, I never imagined I would visit let alone spend parts of my life.

My story is unique as is everyone’s. The same is true about my faith, foundation, beliefs, and even my shortcomings/faults.

I became an Elvis Presley fan between the age of 1 and 2 years old. How do I know this you say? Well, I have home movies of me trying to stand up listening to the record player with many Elvis albums. Not only did I gravitate to music but as I grew into a young man/teen I became a fan of Elvis the man along with Elvis the singer/performer.

I have listened to every song Elvis sang and I have my favorites as I do various times in his career. I never imagined that I would be, as I am now, TWELVE years older than Elvis was when (sadly) he died. Man…

There are so many things I love, and at times long for, about my life in years gone by. And Elvis music, in part, has been the soundtrack of my life. But I don’t shy away from Elvis’ low points in his career or his failing health and reliance on medications over a period of decades. I, as I do everyone, believe context matters and in any reasonable criteria Elvis Presley was…truly unique and exceptional.

I have been very blessed to get to know so many who worked with, were related to, were loved by, were befriended by, etc. Elvis Presley. The relationship I have for each of these wonderful people is something I cherish.

Elvis Presley was a man of quality and I was fortunate to have lived during exciting times in his career. Though I have a website, forum. blog(s), etc. about Elvis I have opted to share some of my insights, facts, expertise, etc. over the past many years it is only the tip of the iceberg.

I look forward to 2017 and I wish everyone all the best in life.

Take care and may God bless you.

Jeff Schrembs

http://www.EkvisCollector.info

http://www.ElvisCollectorWorldwide.freeforums.org