Elvis - A Lighted Candle

Wanda June Hill · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject: Vernon

Hi, Elvis loved his father. He gave him his respect and he was understanding of where his dad came from-poverty more severe than Elvis experienced as a kid and that was bad enough. I have heard that Vernon had a temper that came out if he had been drinking- many people drink when they have problems-and too, he had injured his back doing as Elvis said, "work way to hard for him" and alcohol can deaden pain and other things as well. His dad quit drinking and as Elvis said, things were better then. Too, his dad served time in jail for forging a check by a few dollars when he felt he had been cheated and probably was, by the man he worked for and who ended up owning the house Vernon had built for him and Gladys-there was still money owed on it I guess when he went to jail. Anyway, Elvis loved him, but he was closer to his mother and didn't have that same kind of closness with his dad. His dad was strict-so was his mom and young Elvis learned that he must respect and obey them early. He never had anything bad to say about his father-just the opposite and of course his mother was an angel, living one at that...in his memory that was all that counted. Elvis said that he was "just like any young boy, onery and sneaking out when he could to do things he knew he'd get in trouble for-and he said "I did- often enough to know better and quit ...gettin' caught!" He did say that he had more "whippings" from his dad than he did his mother... she would put him in the closet and make him sit in there in the dark-that was enough he said, to make him "toe the line" most of the time. Elvis had his lower lip split and his front upper teeth-or one of them-chipped and I think it was due to "punishment" for "talking back" to his father or his mother- I think it was his dad that did it-but I'm not swearing to that as factual. Whatever, he had them capped when he became "popular"-I think it was Sam Phillips or someone involved with Sun Records that had Elvis' teeth capped so he'd look good smiling.
Who ever, a big hug to him-them as that smile was something!
I think Elvis meant that he had to learn more about his dad and how to get along with him since he was looking after Elvis' money instead of his mom doing it. Vernon was always there for Elvis afterward-except during the time he was married to Dee - that caused some discord but Elvis was always one to leave the scene rather than "fuss over it". He wanted peace and quiet and understanding above all in the family.
I met Vernon in Vegas, he was very nice, laughed and asked questions kind of like Elvis did-about our family, what kind of work, how often we had come to Vegas and he laughed over a comment I made about Elvis but in a round about way. We did not talk to Vernon about Elvis or ask him anything and I think he appreciated it. He had breakfast with us-coffee and toast anyway-it was 1969 and then we talked with him in 1970 briefly and he didn't remember us-I could tell that. He did not ave his son's memory for things-that was certain. By then he was wearing nicer clothes, a mustache and had his nails manicured and polished-his wife Dee was getting her hair done and he was playing the dollar slots just as he always did when in Vegas. He'd win, then try another one and usually won there too. Not big money, but he was putting in lots of silver dollars! He didn't like the hours his son kept and tried to sleep nights. His comment was about "not much for keeping owl hours."
Thank God Vernon didn't die before Elvis-I don't think Elvis could have handled losing his father-it scared him very much when his dad was ill and it was his heart. I think Elvis must have stayed awake for more than a week over that-and then was sick himself worrying over his father. wjh
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Wanda June Hill
author of "We Remember, Elvis" & "Elvis - Face to Face"

Rainbow Light · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for letting us know more about Vernon, there are such mixed stories and reactions about him it's hard to tell, you know?

Also, it just came to my mind, what about Vernon's mother, Minnie Mae (Elvis' grandmother), know she lived at Graceland and so appreciate you wouldn't have had contact as such, perhaps? but did Elvis ever tell you any funny stories or thoughts about her, Wanda?

So many questions but just can't help being curious and asking 'em! Laughing

Thanks & regards, Sue
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Wanda June Hill · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:15 pm Post subject: Grandma Dodger

Yeah, he told a few things about his grandma- in the interview he said she told him "to stop mooning over something that was out of reach" when he was blue over the fact Pris was in Germany, he was in the US and he was depressed because he couldn't see her and she was so young. He said she (grandma) "clipped" him with her cane when she was wanting to "make a point".
And he'd snap back into reality pretty quickly then. He also must have told her about me and my family because one Christmas when we got a present from him there were hand crocheted little squares about 4 by 4 inches with different colored pansy flowers on them-they were like little potholders but way to pretty for that! And she had made them, gave them to him to give to us! I was surprised and sent her a thank you card and got back a little note-typed-that thanked ME for loving her grandson enough to "put up with him"... I haven't thought about that in years! I have the little potholders still and never used them other than I used to have a big kitchen and they were displayed on a wall with other framed flower pictures. When he first brought Priscilla as a young teenager, to meet her, and after Pris was gone back home to Germany-she was visiting- his grandmother told him not to marry her, she "would break my heart". And he told me this after they married and expecting the baby and he was the happiest he'd ever been and laughed about that dire warning. He said his grandma was something of a "witch" and could do "things" and told things-foretold things-that sometimes happened. He said she could read cards and made "predictions" that often came true-or true enough, he added, to make a person think she could foresee the future. He joked about it-but I think he probably thought of it often later when his heart was broken. I'm glad she outlived him also-that would have broken his "shield" pretty good too.
he said he carried a "big shield to protect me from the slings and arrows" that were thrown at him by the"world and all it's many rock throwers". He didn't often talk about his relatives who lived with him-and if he did, it was either funny, sad or unusual. His Aunt Delta was a real card-apparently- and he had to go down there and get her because he didn't want her living alone-and she had a dog that he didn't like much because it wasn't housebroken too well and liked to chew things...and it didn't like anyone but her and Lisa according to something I read somewhere. Elvis liked to jump at it and make it bark at him, or so the article said. I think it was some movie magazine-so that probably was fabrication-who knows. He didn't tell me he did that-but knowing him, he probably would have if the dog reacted that way. His grandma didn't like the bird that talked-screamed and carried on and knew some "choice words and phrases" that I'll just bet Elvis taught it to say! wjh

ALNA · Jewel in the Lotus Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 856

Sincerely thanks for those nice stories.
Riley (Nadine)

Rainbow Light · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 1:47 am Post subject:

Yes, great to read more about Elvis' family members - thanks as always for sharing! Lisa had shared more about Aunt Delta in the EBTP book along with Patsy, Elvis' double-first cousin and she does indeed sound a real character! Had also heard tell about that bird and how it could curse and swear sometimes! Was sweet of 'Grandma' to remember you and your family too, Wanda! Smile

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Wanda June Hill · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 5:26 pm Post subject: Grandma

Hi, it was a real surprise to me when we got the gift and card too. It had to be that she knew about Elvis' friends and the only way would have been had he told her something about it. That's the only time that I can say for sure any one knew-and it really freaked us out after his death to think he didn't say anything-or if he did, no one was going to say so for whatever their reasons were. Just haven't any way to know now, and besides that, it didn't really matter to us-but it was nice of her to want to send something. I used to know when her birthday was and sent her a card for several years after Elvis left us. I guess she got them-never heard another word from there. Except for the one time I tried speaking with Vernon-I wanted to send him something from his son, but he was so worried about money and legal issues he wasn't himself, it seemed. So I just sent him a copy of our book and after several months, we got the letter from him and that was all the communication I ever had with anyone from there. Except for a letter from lawyers who let me know Elvis' voice was "owned" and couldn't be "used" without
paying big money... and by how many seconds... not even minutes! wjh.
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Wanda June Hill
author of "We Remember, Elvis" & "Elvis - Face to Face"

Rainbow Light · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:43 am Post subject:

Think Vernon must have stressed and worried himself to death with money/legal issues, it certainly seems that way. Understandably he looked a broken man on the piece of film following the CBS special in '77 after Elvis died as he'd just lost his son, have heard from sources he chose to go on tape for the sake of the fans and those who loved Elvis but from other sources that he'd been told he'd have to do it and go on there but I don't know who and not sure quite what to believe with this?

The Elvis Estate just seem to have gone crazy with all this memory/name/image/voice issue. I would understand it if I genuinely felt it was a way of protecting his name against some of the tacky souvenirs (some of which I've seen sold in their shops across from Graceland!) or against the more scandalous trash books that come out ie Stanley's book/movie but there has been nothing done about that so WHERE ARE THEY COMING FROM? Just don't understand it and then there's your book and tapes which are intended to show the best, most positive and enlightening memories of such a beautiful soul that Elvis was and you get stopped by lawyers for it - that must be frustrating for you at the least?

As for Elvis, who loved to share his amazing voice so freely, to anyone who cared to hear, can't help feeling he would hate the thought of his voice being 'owned' in any shape or form - Colonel Parker all over again in another package, isn't it? just managed by different people?

Best regards, Sue
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Wanda June Hill · Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject: Graceland Inc.

Yeah, sometimes it seems that money is the root of all evil--- I hope too, they don't mess with Graceland! I heard today, that the Ambassador of China came and went through Graceland-with his bunch of security etc; and that he did the tour of the house-but I don't know about the rest- I remember something about that man saying something about he wanted to go some time back when he was being interviewed on the news. So he finally did it. Pretty nifty considering they wouldn't allow any Elvis records in their country for the duration of his career- and now! I sent 2 or 3 WR.E's into that area but had to have a way around postal address to get it to the people-but from China, they ordered! And they risked alot just going to the country where they could get one and then had to smuggle it back! Amazing. Also sent 2 to Russian people and I think one went into another country that I can't recall also one that did not allow his music etc: into it. Arabia-that was it-how could I forget that! I have Arabian horses! Oh well, slept since then! As far as lawyers, they don't really do anything but scare tactics although I fully understand about the tapes-if it were me, and I didn't know what the person was like or what they had, I would want to know before I allowed use of anything. In this case, I did send them to him, what he did with them, I have no clue-but until they show up or whatever, I will keep my word and they will not be released by anyone but his family.
I can live with that... So far the written word has not been claimed and I don't think it can be...that probably is why nothing was done or will be done this time-the courts rulled the written word is public and only if there are slanderous etc: and evil intent is it possible to do something through the courts- But it's a hassal and very expensive to do, I guess. I could have sued some people when the first one came out, my lawyer was willing to go the distance but it wasn't worth it to me-people have the right to think and say what they think and it didn't hurt me, cost me anythng or even make me angry- since I expected it-I wasn't surprised or upset-just felt sorry for them actually. Maybe I learned that from Elvis- to look with understanding and sympathy on other people when in their iggnorence they offend, critize and vilify what they don't know or understand. that's not his exact wording but most of it is- I wouldn't have even considered "vilify" but he used it! He liked new words- and would throw them in now and then- sometimes I had to hunt to find them in the dictionary. wjh
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Wanda June Hill
author of "We Remember, Elvis" & "Elvis - Face to Face"

Rainbow Light · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:16 am Post subject:

Yes, it is great that many people from different parts of the world can now share in Elvis' music/talent and get to know the man better, when previously his music and anything about him was banned in various places.

I'm sure Elvis would come out with many words that quite a few people wouldn't know and would have them running to the dictionary to find the meaning of what he'd said! Had heard he had a love of words and finding out what they meant etc.
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Guest · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

Guest · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject:

Barbara Lea · Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject:

YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP SOME OF THINGS I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME TRING TO UNDERSTAND TO, A ALL LOT OF QUESTIONS AND VERY FEW ANSWERS. FOR THE LOVE OF ELVIS! BARB!
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WITHOUT A SONG THE DAY WOULD NEVER END, WITHOUT A SONG A MAN AIN'T GOT A FREIND, WITHOUT A SONG. SO I KEEP ON SINGING A SONG.

Rainbow Light · Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:11 am Post subject:

I agree, Barb - so many questions and not enough answers! Confused

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Rainbow Light · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:04 am Post subject:

I truly have a deep sense of hope and belief that Wanda's book will help to dispel much of the garbage that is bound to be in David's book and movie! Hoping and have faith that people will be able to see another side to Elvis thanks to Wanda and her love and loyalty towards our Elvis' memory!!
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Amanda Viola · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:58 am Post subject:

AMEN!!
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"LOVE is what it's all about".