He had a pretty good bump on the back of his head. Over the years, there have been many rumors that have circulated about Presley, one in particular that he also had webbed toes. He left behind an undying legacy. It was 1958 and Elvis was on leave from the US Army. Billy continued: Even when he was in his bedroom he always had somebody there. Recently, Smith appeared on his son Danny Smiths YouTube channel known as the Memphis Mafia Kid. Aug. 16, 2012: Elvis dies in his sleep at Graceland on the 25th anniversary of the first Harmonic Convergence and 35 years to the day after his near-death in Memphis. So I think he had someone with him as much as he could., The Kings mother Gladys Presley died just a couple of years into his fame in 1958, leaving him devastated. Late August 1977: "I dreamed I died," Elvis will tell reporters later, "and I was headed toward a pure white light, but something sent me back. There, he shares some of those stories with the public. At the very least they have some stories to tell about the legendary rocker. Without him, its a home but its not the same. The Colonel, inspired, announces plans for a nationwide chain of Elvis Workout Centers. Elvis Cousin Billy Smith and his . See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. However, he cant put his finger on what the X factor was, to this day. Billy: The pledge came about because we had an incident as kids and were never to talk about it. He also allows his mystical bent to resurface, retelling the tale of his near-death experience to audiences and commissioning a midset New Age instrumental featuring cellos and mouth harps, which soon becomes known as The Harmonica Convergence. The quartet kicks off the video with a plethora of jokes and laughter. Billy Smith was interviewed by Piers Beagley for EIN, January 2006. Gene worked for Elvis for a number of years and was one of the original Memphis Mafia members, along with Red West & Junior. When asked about the stories, Smith revealed he was not too sure about that one. We also share some information about the way you use our site with our partners who deal with web analytics, advertising and social media content: our partners may combine it with other information that you have provided them or that they have collected from the use of their services. Elvis girlfriend Linda hits back at Baz Luhrmann biopic 'I know the Were they fun or boring as a bystander? Elvis' version of Jennifer Holliday's And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going becomes an adult-contemporary chart-topper. The Memphis Mafia member then revealed how a joke story he made up about Elvis swapping places was eventually taken seriously in the UK press. he says, displaying a nasty-looking welt. We lived in a big-white house that was on the property. Can you clarify once & for all whether you saw Elvis being obviously racist in anyway? He also added that when he looked at the windows, he felt Elvis Presleys presence. . 6. Blasting News is working with the European Union in the fight against fake news. ", "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible. Elvis was very open-minded. 285285 52 shares Share "He thought it made him look better and that he needed it," Billy reveals. And while critics are divided as to the merits of his duet with Astley on Steamroller Blues and Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up the global ratings are astronomical. The medical examiners official cause of death was hypertensive heart disease associated with atherosclerotic heart disease. Elvis weighed at least 250 pounds in his final days, and one Baptist Memorial Hospital staffer told Rolling Stone, he had the arteries of an 80-year-old man. So a massive heart attack isnt exactly far-fetched. blue eyes and lighter skin. Plans for Elvis to appear solo are scuttled when RCA threatens to withdraw support unlesss its new star, Rick Astley, is included. A few years later, while studying them with a magnifying glass, Joseph spotted a shadowy Elvis-like figure sitting in the doorway. The inscription reads Elvis Aaron Presley, even though hed been given the middle name Aron, possibly in memory of his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. Kolb came forward with an original color version of the image proving that it was himnot Elvisin the shot, but thats hardly laid the matter to rest. THE DEATH ITSELF. So have issues concerning official paperwork. Jo added: The thing they dont know is Elvis was not asleep for days and I know that for a fact because a lot of times we were up there with him. Elvis and Vernon knew how far to push. Elvis purchased Graceland in March 1957, and he of course did not . A ferocious cape cobra is seen eating and swallowing another snake whole in a matter of only a few minutes. At the time I knew he was pissed at Colonel about something, but he never said what it was. I think I need to see a Doctor." Thompson, a former beauty queen who dated Elvis from July 1972 to late 1976, spoke about her time with Presley at the event. Potato Head toy in 12.11 seconds while blindfolded. But Elvis loved movieshe starred in 31and Christmas, so it almost makes sense that he would risk blowing his cover by appearing in the 1990 holiday comedy Home Alone. Fans continue to praise her dignity and discretion, while Elvis' cousin Billy Smith has paid tribute to their devoted relationship and how Linda "kept Elvis alive." So her latest post is. How this got started was we actually talked one night of Elvis changing places. Believers of this bizarre theory contend that a 55-year-old Presley turned up in the background of the scene where Catherine OHaras character is stuck at the Scranton airport while trying to get home to her son. Billy Smith, is the son of Travis Smith who was the brother of Elvis' Mother, Gladys. EIN: Elvis was a gorgeous looking man. . Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Here, in Part One, Billy talks about his family, the Memphis Mafia, the Movie Years, meeting The Beatles and much much more. During the racquetball game, he accidentally smacks himself on the shin with his racquet. There were a lot of rumors circulating at the time that Elvis was alive. January 1978: To underscore Elvis' new, clean image, the Colonel decides an anti-drug single would be a shrewd move. Joe Esposito on Geraldo; GIFTS FROM JESSE TO ME AND MY HUSBAND. Junior was at my house in my bed when he died. Was it talked about within the family or was it a surprise for you when your cousin was suddenly on the radio? She also travels with Elvis impersonator Elvis Wade and introduces him when he performs. Gene died a few years ago. Some did better than others, but still we each had a purpose. On the other hand, by clicking only on accept strictly necessary cookies, you will receive non-targeted advertising whose number and repetition will not be limited. The Beatles came to Elvis' house at 525 Perugia Way in Bel Air, and we all sat around and talked, and they were extremely nice. One family member of Elvis Presley has revealed just how much work and how far the King of Rock and Roll went to make sure he looked his best. Happy Birthday Billy Smith! - Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville Jerry was always nice to me and my family and to my Mother and Daddy, and I will always remember him for that. Nevertheless, even when up there sometimes for days on end, the star would want at least someone by his side. Can you imagine how we felt living in a place like that? He said it gave him a peace within, and, if it did, well, that was good. German man breaks record for assembling Mr. Elvis and Gene were close to the same age and were close, especially in the early years. Billy Smith - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki Can you remember how the city move affected Elvis? Billy's father Travis Smith was the brother of Elvis' mother Gladys and became the main guard at Graceland. She also mentioned names of others who weren't in attendance like major girlfriends of Elvis' after he divorced Priscilla Presley. Elvis' grandfather got my father out of jail and left Vernon there when it first happened. Several in our group were close to Elvis at one time or the other. Elvis releases a disco-style cover of Jackie Wilson's Baby, Workout, which rises to No. Ghost of Elvis Visits His Cousin? | iHeartRadio | Coast to Coast AM On the afternoon of August 16, 1977, a man bearing a striking resemblance to Elvis is said to have purchased a one-way ticket from Memphis International Airport to Buenos Aires. Dee Presley was married to the famed singer's father, Vernon, from 1960 -- at the height of Elvis's stardom -- until 1974 when they were divorced. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Dark skin, dark eyes, and high cheeks. She was generous like Elvis, but she also had a quick temper. Billy Smith was Elvis first cousin, the son of Gladys Presleys oldest brother. Setting the record straight, Billy added: So, heres the truth: Elvis died, August 16, 1977 one of the hardest days of my life. Billy: Elvis did ask me to become foreman, and he talked about getting rid of several people. I had so much respect for him. He said that he stood there gawking at Elvis Presley while he played and sang in Studio B. A group of ostriches are caught in the act as they dance around in circles, competing amongst themselves. He supposedly gave the name Jon Burrows, a pseudonym Elvis used when checking into hotels. Elvis always liked to be the "Main Event." So, that makes him a wonderful source of information as well as stories about Elvis and the goings-on at Graceland and beyond. Additionally, some of Elvis' family and friends would live on the property, including his cousin Billy Smith and his family. l, like most the guys, was in many of his movies as an extra. He only worked a couple of places before Elvis became famous, unlike Aunt Gladys who had worked at several places before Elvis became famous. Its been almost 43 years since Elvis Presley died. January 1986: Elvis is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's initial class with nine other seminal artists. With that, what critics like to call the "Fit Elvis era" is over. When Elvis Presley passed away in August of 77, he was surrounded by family and members of the Memphis Mafia. Billy Smith Interview at MarlowesCheck out the full playlist please LIKE "THUMBS UP" and COMMENT on this video.Check us out on facebook at https://www.facebo. Billy was 8 years younger than Elvis and grew up with him in Tupelo. May 1 (UPI) -- A Kentucky couple had more than 109,000 extra reasons to celebrate on their 44th wedding anniversary when they won a jackpot from an Instant Play lottery game. The cousin of Elvis Presley, Billy Smith, reveals the truth behind Elvis's facelifts, dyed hair, webbed toes, and more through the years. Billy: Well for one thing, we had inside plumbing! Maybe it's because I was where he was before it all happened, and that was the link. In Elvis and the Memphis Mafia it is suggested he was the one who took the "coffin" picture. Billy Smith is the one person who knows Elvis Presley better than Whatever Happened To Marla Gibbs, Florence Johnston From The Jeffersons. Billy, is reportedly recovering well. Billy Smith interview on the Day Elvis Presley Died January 2019 EIN: Theres a lot of rubbish printed about Elvis being racist, some coming from that faked quote that was printed in a newspaper in the fifties. Smith recalls that the legendary entertainer had some major issues with how his nose looked. . And I would hear him calling me.. He read a lot too. He seems to remember his importance more than some of the other guys remember it. He lived in a separate home with his family on the grounds of Graceland. So did Junior! But Elvis had all kinds of people working for him - black, white, Jews, Italians, Mexicans. We all loved him and had a job to do. He said they were all just alike, basically. Im not really 81, says Barmer, who then compares himself to a Pokmon Go character. I always loved Elvis very much and would do just about anything to please him and be with him. I remember them cutting pasteboard to put in their shoes to cover the holes. This seems more than a coincidence as back in 1957 he was also involved in an incident involving $1000 bills. I was little, and I was trying to get some bananas out that the man from the fruit stand had thrown away. EIN: What about your brother Bobby, he died way too young as well? The general confusion surrounding these and other jargony cause-of-death explanations has undoubtedly helped to foster conspiracy theories. Columbus and Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin laugh about the theory in the DVD commentary, but the identity of the extra remains unknown. I actually remember her as an outgoing and fun loving person. At nearly 800 pages the book is justifiably acclaimed as one of the. He wanted stronger roles. He was talking about how scattered the family was. Theres also the question of why the most famous man on the planet would risk going into a public place in his hometown in order to book airfare for the purpose of faking his own death. Is it true that your father also went to the penitentiary but that Elvis grand-father bailed Travis out & left Vernon in jail? Back in June, Baz Luhrmanns Elvis movie starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks had a premiere in Memphis, Tennessee at Elvis Presleys home of Graceland. He did a lot for me and my family in the early years and for my family in the later years. . Elvis Presley's Family Calls Graceland Disrespectful - DoYouRemember? But if so, he would not have been surprised to hear if Presley had them surgically separated. What The Final 12 Months Of Elvis' Life Were Like Patrick Lacy, author of the book Elvis Decoded, claims to have debunked this popular and wholly unsubstantiated story by interviewing airport officials and determining that international flights werent available from Memphis in 1977. That seems very strange. These same fans also believe that Presley is also still alive in 2020 and will one day return to the public eye announcing that he had faked his death, revealing himself to his fans once again. Do you recall any of this & were you lucky enough to see Elvis first play in a kind rock n roll band? An ill-advised follow-up single, a disco-style cover of an old Stevie Wonder song with the title changed to Work Out, Elvis, Work Out, fails to reach the top 100. It was 1958 and Elvis was on leave from the US Army. May 1 (UPI) -- A German man was awarded an unusual world record when he assembled a Mr. And I can truthfully say, hes gone. Express. Fans reckon you can hear King at Graceland LISTEN, Brian May on Queens influences: The Beatles 'built our bible', Rolling Stones: Brian Jones would call Bob Dylan EVERY day, Elvis Presley had 'HUGE heart, Graceland like living at Disneyland', Elvis Presley's bodyguard on TERRIFYING motorbike ride with The King. To get inside you need no key. In the early days no wives were allowed to go, but then, when Priscilla started to go back and forth, so did the wives. Thirty-six years ago Friday, owing to pressures we can hardly imagine and self-indulgences we can imagine only too well, Elvis Presley died. Hes left the realm of popular entertainers and joined the ranks of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and to some, Jesus. Dad (Billy Smith) addresses the rumors about Elvis being alive. Billy Smith with his parents Travis & Lorraine Smith, and his brother Bobby on the right. Travis was reportedly Gladys' favorite brother. Click on the topic that interests you to follow it. During his lifetime, Elvis underwent several procedures having moles removed, and his teeth capped. That is disrespectful to Elvis., Lisa Marie Presleys Late Son Benjamin Keough Officially Laid To Rest At Graceland With Elvis, 75-Year-Old Don McLean Opens Up About Dating A 27-Year-Old. Billy was also one of the few who actually spent a lot of time with Elvis near the end of his life. Alternatively, fans can go to Graceland and learn volumes about Presley, his life, and his family. Billy: Elvis enjoyed the Nashville "Guitar Man" sessions with Jerry Reed. And you place yours on mine. However, he added that it was time for me to get out of there.. On the story, he said: It was supposed to be that Elvis swapped places with this guy who had cancer and was dying and Elvis hid him out in the attic until it was time for him to die. Smith said, I feel like so many of Elvis fans know exactly what Im talking about. If he had to try to nail it down, he said, I think he put his heart and soul into every song he recorded, good or bad.. He was my hero. Billy Smith, Elvis' first cousin is recovering from a heart attack. Elvis' Cousin Shares Last Conversation With King Hours Before His Death May 1 (UPI) -- Crews at a Pennsylvania wastewater plant received a surprise when they discovered a small alligator at the facility. He is surrounded by his . Interestingly, Elvis' cousin and Memphis Mafia member Billy Smith has revealed how The King once told him how he could swap places with a lookalike. Later on Elvis told someone and it hurt me a lot, and he knew it. However, the distance didnt change what he was seeing. Billy: One thing Uncle Vernon was good at was numbers, especially if dollar signs were in front of them! Billy Smith also claims that Elvis underwent two face life procedures, the first one being in 1957, and the second in 1975 just two years before his untimely death on August 16, 1977. EIN: After Elvis got back from the army and you married your wife Jo, how did you balance your months in Hollywood with your relationship back home? Elvis Presley always loved to have his close friends around him. He loved the power of the big voices. Currently, Smith runs the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel. Even towards the end of his short 42 years when he became increasingly isolated, Billy would be spending hours upstairs with the singer in his bedroom, listening to him as he opened up on his more vulnerable side. Did Elvis understand? So down to earth. The concert, at Wembley Stadium in May, is a triumph, though marred by hundreds of emergency medical calls to treat elderly fans who had fainted from sheer disbelief that their dream had come true. MTV could have dodged the controversy by explaining that the spectacle of a bare-chested Elvis in a series of multihued headbands and sweatpants was faintly ludicrous, or even that Physical was a lousy record.