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As the 60’s sexual revolution and the Beatles stormed into vague, Elvis retreated into clean-cut blandness. In 1961 Presley was invited to appear at the Royal Command Variety Performance in London before Queen Elizabeth II. In response, Colonel Parker insisted that his client be presented to Her Majesty (such a condition was out of the question) without knowing that the stars appearing on the show were always presented to the Royal party. Nevertheless, Elvis was never invited again.
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Love Me Tender
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Elvis was not totally immune the flower power music of the early 60’s. He admired the Beatles and hosted a party for them in his Hollywood home on 27 August 1965. Photographers were forbidden, however, member of the Memphis Mafia has since reported the experience. They recall, Elvis having said to the Fab Four, after initial introductions, “Well if you are just going sit staring at me, I’ll going to bed.” On Paul suggestion, the five biggest names in the music industry played each other’s songs.
A tape of even one song by Elvis and the Beatles would represent riches beyond belief.
Despite being aware of the changing music trends, Elvis merged with a meager 7 number one hits; Are You Lonesome Tonight?, It’s Now Or Never, Stuck On You, A Big Hunk O’Love, Good Luck Charm, Surrender and Suspicious Minds, over the next 14 years. But, if the music couldn't compare with his impact in the 50's there was always Hollywood for Presley to conquer in earnest. From 1961 to 1968 Elvis made 21 Hollywood movies, and recorded nothing but asinine soundtrack albums. Two maybe three movies from that era have survived better then others, Blue Hawaii, GI Blues and Viva Las Vegas. When cast with Ann Margret which the press dubbed “the female Elvis,” Presley lifted his game to the challenge. Although without a decent plot line basically travelogue, Viva Las Vegas saving grace have to be the singing duets with Elvis Presley and Ann Margret.
It was until after his death in 1977, that BMG Music finally released the downright bluesy single “You’re the Boss” that was originally recorded but used in the movie. Witnesses recall that from the moment they met, there was an immediate chemistry between Elvis and Ann Margret that led to an off-screen romance. One night before shooting began Elvis informed the guys that he would be dating her alone. This was different from Elvis’s usual trysts with Hollywood starlets. After Ann Margret let the press know that she and Elvis were engaged the Colonel stepped in and stopped the romance cold. To this day the Memphis Mafia and Ann Margret still speculate on the
Parker’s influence over Elvis.
This power most reflected in Elvis’ movie titles of the 1960’. With travelogue storylines, an assortment of beautiful co-stars and the lack of quality directors or film editors killed, Colonel Parker single handedly thwarted Elvis’ potential as an actor. While Elvis was singing to kids on the beach in Paradise Hawaiian Style, with Julie Parrish - Tom Jones was breaking all chart records with the hit single “It’s Not Unusual.” While in Hollywood Elvis had the Memphis Mafia with him everywhere he went. Always lurking “the guys” as they were known collectively included; Marty Lacker, Lamar Fike , Red West, Gene West & Jerry Schilling . They made for a menacing tour de tour bodyguards set. With an exception of a few, every one of these "court jesters" has written a book about their experiences while working for the King. Lacker recalls the time when Tom Jones visited Elvis on set. Elvis and Tom were deep in complimenting each other, when Jones’ manager interceded with a one million-dollar offer for Elvis to do a concert at Wembley Stadium. When Elvis ignored him, the manager persisted. Finally Lacker stepped in believing that the only reason for Jones’ visit was to get a deal for his manager. That in mind Lacker physically removed the manager from the studio. It was these bullying tactics that had the press declared “the guys” as the Memphis Mafia. Unfortunately, after release from the army, Colonel Parker decided on a very different course for Elvis’ movie career and rock-n-roll took back seat as Presley the actor was groomed for matinee idolatry.
Initially, the attempt to turn Elvis into a serious actor with Flaming Star in which Elvis’ role as the half-breed Pacer could have been a spring broad to something better than Kid Galahad. However, because Blue Hawaii was a such hit with fans and at the box office, that formula was set in cement with GI Blues to follow. Hollywood never used Elvis the actor to his full capacity. Kissin’ Cousins & Harum Scarum underline the almost obsessive quality of cheapness. While the Beatles drew mass crowds at Shea Stadium in LA, Elvis was cutting the Frankie and Johnny soundtrack. During the summer of love, Elvis was working on Clambake and Speedway while the Beatles were making Sergeant Pepper. Not until after Elvis had returned to the concert circuit, did he once again return to his former glory with his critics. Once again, when Elvis’ returned to the live stage, Hollywood sought to cash-in. That’s The Way It Is a documentary that showed in graphic detail exactly what went on behind the scenes and what it took to prepare Elvis the consummate stage performer followed by Elvis On Tour, the last of Elvis’ 33 Hollywood films.
At 9.41am on May 1, 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Milton Prell’s private suite, Elvis Aaron Presley and Priscilla Ann Beaulieu exchanged vows before 25 chapel candles but only 14 wedding guests. (Elvis had to borrow the $15.00 for the license from Joe Esposito his best man ) The wedding guest included, sister, Michelle, as maid of honor, both Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker acted as best men. As were Vernon and his wife Dee, Paul and Ann Beaulieu and Priscilla’s brother Don. The Colonel and his wife, Marie with Elvis’ cousins, Billy and Jo Smith. Patsy and Gee Gee Gambill with school friend, George Klein, and the wives of best men, Joanie and Patsy. Grandma Mimi Mae Presley could not attend because she was not up to the journey. The wedding guests heard Nevada Supreme Court Judge, David Zenoff perform the eight-minute ceremony, in which Priscilla promised to “…love, honor, cherish, and comfort her husband…” The bride wore a traditional floor-length white chiffon and satin gown with seed-pearl trim and a six foot train. Priscilla carried a white wedding bouquet and rested her hand that sported a three-carat diamond engagement ring on a white bible. The nervous groom wore a satin trimmed tuxedo that did not fit right.
Colonel Parker had arrived in Las Vegas two days prior to set up the wedding and the $100,000 breakfast. The wedding ceremony was followed in short order by a press conference, breakfast reception, a change of clothes and a dash to the airport where a Frank Sinatra's stand-by Learjet ‘Christina’ carried Elvis and bride to their Palm Spring residence for their honeymoon evening. To keep from getting bored while at Graceland and between filming in Hollywood, Elvis had his own football team. Gary Lockwood was a quarter-back in the touch football games in which blood flowed along with the profanities.
Elvis a fervent football fan, since high school could tick off the stats of his favorite team, the Cleveland Browns. His own team originated while in Germany where he and Red West had put together games with other GI's.
While in Hollywood, Sundays at a Bel-Air park, their games would bring celebrity players. On such afternoon, Pat Boone put together a team. Then came a team captained by Rick Nelson. Nelson’s players wore t-shirts and blue jeans, whereas, Elvis' team had uniforms and the name EP Enterprises. Captains Nelson and Presley were both receivers in a game so rough, that Rick later recalled, "that people were flying through the air…" Nelson's team came out the victor. Naturally, such a cluster of male celebrities attracted a bevy of women in midriff and tight capri pants with heavily sprayed bouffant hairdos, who would form the cheer leading squads. After the games most if not all the cheer squad wound up with invitations to the Presley party compound.
Lisa Marie Presley the only child of Elvis and Priscilla
was born, February 1, 1968, weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces. Priscilla gave birth without incident although she almost didn't make it to the hospital. Mary Jenkins, Graceland cook recalled that Elvis was so nervous when Priscilla's water broke early that morning that he nearly drove off without her. Jerry Schilling the designated driver, headed for the wrong hospital, confusing a plan Elvis and the guys had set up to send a decoy car to a different hospital to distract the media.
Lisa Marie made her debut at Baptist Memorial Hospital, Memphis at 5:01 pm. Had she been a boy
John Baron would have been the name of Elvis’ son. Super star dad passed out cigars to press while calling himself the happy pappy. Elvis
bought his baby girl mink coats and diamond rings. This would set the pattern for Lisa Marie’s surreal life ahead.
Elvis has reached the supreme level of frustration with the state of his career and all its limitations on his creativity and artistic expression. He had hoped to become a serious actor, but Hollywood had other ideas and Elvis went along for the ride. The opportunity to show his true talent as an actor have been few. He is ready for a change. By now, it has been more than seven years since he appeared before a live audience. Elvis has missed the closeness of his audience and excitement of live performing.
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