Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Wanda June Hill]

(NOTICE: This post may be copied to other Elvis Websites for the purpose of sharing with other true Elvis fans. Should you choose to copy it, we ask that you include the address: www.elvislightedcandle.org as your source. Thank you. ELC Host, Maia, and Wanda June Hill)(The 2006 revised edition of We Remember, Elvis is available at: http://elvislightedcandle.org/flash/wre.htm
and will be shipped direct from Amazon in about 4 days.)

Question: Does Lisa go to a regular school or a private one?
Elvis: It's not exactly a private school, it's kinda just for those who can pay and who have children that need to be sheltered from the-the eh- people, you know. That try an' get pictures when they know they shouldn't be. Lisa has protection all of the time-she's never alone or not bein' watched even when she thinks she's not-for her own safety; it's difficult for her, I know that but...but I can't take any chances with my baby. Jus' couldn't stand for....don't want to even think it...much less voice it. Sometimes I take her when I'm out there...

Q: Do you feel insecure yourself?
Elvis: That's like answerin' one of those questionariers in a magazine. Do you think you're bein' follwed? Gawd...you know it was a joke when I took one of those tests they give in the Army...to see what you're good at an what you think, ya know? Well, they expected me to answer those questions? Do you think people stare at you? Do you sometimes feel as if you're bein' followed? Do you think about havin' sex A. a lot, B. once in a while? C. 24 hours a day? You guess what they thought when they read my answers! (Laughs)

Q: You answered them honestly huh-based on your experiences?
Elvis: Surrre I did. (Laughs) an' they called me in to eh...
examine mefurther on account of I might be some kind of nut!

Q: Oh for pete's sake, they should have figured that one out!
Elvis: Honey, they did. She wanted to meet me.

Q: Oh...okay, and what did she think-you were some kind of nut.
Elvis: Yeah, kinda. But she came over to the place I was stayin' an' we played records, had some hamburgers and talked 'n she changed her mind. Pretty quick, really.

Q: Enlisted or officer?
Elvis: Officer...she kind liked tellin' me what to do...'n I liked doin' it. Of course, momma an' daddy was sittin' in the same room. See, it's not always what you're thinkin'. (Laughs)

Q: Yeah-that was a set-up!
Elvis: I got some new suits ordered, their makin' them. An' real different than before- some kinda have special designs and meain's on them from some of the books an' so forth I been readin' a bout. Out of this world sort of, people are goin' to think I'm jumpin' from tree to tree! (Laughs) I like'em, can't wait to wear 'em an' see what people think.

Q: Wow-really new suits! Finally! Wow!
Elvis: Hey, those suits are beautiful, everybody liked 'em-even you!

Q: Yeah-but we hve seen them for a year! The same two suits!
Elvis: No...it was 4 suits, two apiece an' they cost a lot of money! Only spend so much a year on costumes an
mine cost the most, 'cause it's my show!

Q: Yeah-I remember the Jolly Green giant outfits the band had to wear not long ago-those didn't cost much-it all went on your outfits-huh?
Elvis: I liked 'em, picked the material an' it looked good on stage an' that's what counts. See, what happened when they went to the cleaners, they washed 'em an' wasn't supposed to do that so they kinda got sleazy or somethin' like that. I got them new ones an' even let them pick their own material too.

Q: Really- the girls clothes looked good-the guys were the ones that looked silly.
Elvis: Yeah, made 'em wear 'm a few times an' surprised 'em with new ones. (Laughs) Lucky didn't get 'em those elf shoes, ya know, turned up toes an' all that...thought about it, but then that'd been too much.

Q: So do we get to see the new suits when you come out here?
Elvis: Maybe so...gonna wear 'em after the first of the year...won't be ready most likely until then. Pretty wild lookin'-some of 'em. But when you see them, you'll understand... the designs I mean, what they are 'n all.
Gawd... it's damn near mornin' I gotta get some sleep-been awake for a couple days but don't feel like it really, jus' gettin' kind of shaky-can't keep my hands from shakin' sometimes... just nerves I guess.

Q: How's your head-still got that same headache?
Elvis: Sometimes not-but my eyes are botherin' me a lot-gettin' so it's hard to read or watch tv - man, if that happens god knows, I'm gonna be a -a crazy fool I need to be able to read man, only thing calms me down some times. Don't know why I feel so-so like can't turn off my motor... racin' away inside... an' I'm not takin' hardly nothin' now... cut way back on things... really... just what they telll me I have to take to-to keep every thing workin' right. But ... dun no...

Q: Are just nervous or is it like your heart racing-blood racing through your body? Is that it?
Elvis: Kinda so, yeah... pounding in my ears kind of...an' then my heart kinda fast too- always been though...so nothin' new there.

Q: Elvis, you don't still take tranqualizers, do you?
Elvis: No...not like before no. Jus' somethin' to sleep an' not much of them any more. 'n got something to keep me calm... like real mild ones and I don't double up on anything any more... really. I'm not takin' hardly any of that kind of thing... can't do it anymore...an' keep goin' doin' things I want to do. It's just I can't sleep and can't stop thinkin' of things...future things an' sometimes the-the... Gawd... honey, sorry I'm a a real downer I guess... please forgive me.

Q: Elvis I never think of you as being a downer! I know you have lots of pressure and plenty of things to think about - besides, when you laugh-it makes it all worth while.
Elvis: Lord...is that what it is? My laugh...keeps you on the phone listenin' to me complainin'? Gawd!

Q: Oh yeah...come on, laugh for me-go on!
Elvis: Say somethin' funny then...(Laughs) Sh--...eh...(snickers)thanks darlin', it's nice to know some body likes me when I'm ...funny -just not much...lately.

Q: Always like to hear from you anytime. Elvis, don't worry about it. Okay, you need to sleep so let's get off the phone-maybe you can doze off if you try. I have to get up anyway-so have a good night and wake up feeling really good. bye buddy.
Elvis: Bye-bye sugar, thanks for talkin' to me...love ya.
Q: Love you too, Elvis, bye.

[Rainbow Light]

Hey Wanda

Thank you, as always on enlightening us just that bit more on Elvis the man with this conversation you had with him.

Can understand him and his reasons completely as to Lisa going to that school you'd mentioned and to help protect her, security and so forth, makes sense for sure!

As for the costumes, just love so many of them - so beautiful, and meaningful too. Obviously, we have more idea of what Elvis was doing with the costumes, the spiritual significance etc but I wonder if anyone else in the audiences picked up back then that the costume designs held a deeper meaning? Guess not but then one never knows?

I think what I get most ticked off at when people criticise, slam Elvis down and so on is they really don't try to understand and/or 'get' the pressure he really truly was under. I mean, I only see it from the angle I know from: ie as a fan who, in hindsight can see and understand (specially from yourself and Maia) much of the dark stuff that was going on around him; the immense physical, mental and emotional pressures he must have been under but with you knowing Elvis from a much closer perspective (think that's the word I'm looking for), you obviously saw and heard so much more about what was going on in that mind, heart and soul of his?

You're doing your very best to try and get more people to try and understand Elvis, the man behind the image - Lord, that's such a well-worn saying but it just kind of fits! but it's just so great that, hopefully he'll at least get a bit of a break, about time, huh?!

[Wanda June Hill]

I sure hope so! It's not easy trying to be see both sides of things- especially having heard and seen Elvis cry out of frustration and too, lonliness. He said that his mom told him it would be lonely at the top... and his grandma told him he would "stand alone" but to never forget his roots and where he came from. And she told him his voice was a gift, and he must use it. I am very predjuiced toward Elvis' side- probably will die hanging out there on that limb trying to "balance". He did it so well, quick and with what seemed ease- but I know he struggled with things and chose the best route he could.
`I have to admit that it scares me quite a bit when I think of so many people out there who will read what I've written here and in the books- and I am not a person who likes the public eye- I have nothing special in my life other than having met Elvis and talked with him, that was a fate kind of thing I believe- all of his making and nothing of mine. I didn't do a thing not even ask him for his number or to call me - when he did I merely told him he could talk to me day or night, anytime and I'd be happy to hear from him. He made the choice to do it- I sure didn't! Sometimes it wasn't easy to "be there" for him- it had to be "fate"... as he'd say, "God's hand at work" and one day, I'll know all the why's and it will be "cool" as he said, to see him again and also be able to see past everything that went on around him and regarding him. For now, it's unnerving and scary to think about "going out there on that limb" again. I'm afraid of heights- they make me want to jump! I had one "fan" (against me( say I should jump! That was one of the funniest things during that whole other book tour etc:. I laughed several times over that one! wjh

[Blue Moon]

There will always be nay sayers, but I believe you will receive lots of support among the fans with your new book. Do wonder how the MM will react & if there will be some jealously there. Hopefully not. And if there are some fans who are impossibly mean to you, I hope that you will not hesitate to share your burdens with us at ELC, so that we can encourage & support you. Help keep you going with the tour. And to offer our prayers for you. Glad you were able to laugh at the "fan" from the last tour who told you to jump.

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi, thanks for the support and encouragement. It won't be that bad-and I can handle the mm (does that stand for macho monkeys) hee-hee. They don't bother me-I think they may be scared to do it in my presence, any way. I stay clear of them when I can. I enjoyed being on the same tour with Ed Parker though-he was nice and he shared some of his worries and fears about Elvis. I think it helped him cope knowing that I knew quite a bit about things also. He would give me the o.k. sign and then do the signal that Elvis gave him to let him know which way he was leaving... Ed told me that- and he would do it when he waited to see what I was saying
on the air-and watched when possible through the glass as I was doing the radio shows. He'd O.k. sign with a big smile then signal he was leaving...it was comforting to have him standing by with his two guys who were with him. I felt safe for sure-they were karate champs.
Once he had one of them wait and walk me out to the front to make sure I got to my ride okay. That was really nice of him. I sure see why Elvis liked him. Ed lived in Pasadena which is about 80 or so miles from where we lived -a beautiful area though I have no idea where his house was located. Any way, Charlie and Ed are gone and I regret that I didn't know them better-I hardly knew Charlie at all-and barely knew Ed. Besides Jerry Schilling whom I don't know at all and don't recall ever meeting- there aren't many of those guys I'd give the time of day too...if I were wearing 4 watches! Guess that sez it all-huh. You know, like Elvis said, it doesn't matter what kind of publicity you get- it's all publicity and sells every thing...good and bad. At least I have the joy of selling something good... and as I've said before- I never knew Elvis to be "bad"... onery maybe...but never out and out baaaaddd! He was just cute, funny and apt to do most anything for a laugh- his or yours. wjh

[ALNA]

Wanda June,

I support you in every way. I hope the book will reach a lot of people. You know, being a fan since 1977 , I still had many questions when I came on this forum. I read and I read and suddenly so many things made sense. And for the first time since 1977 I just felt I knew a lot of answers on a lot of questions.

Thanks to your PM answers there were a lot of things I now could accept. Things I had in my mind for years but I couldn't figure out what to think especially regarding Priscilla and his death.

While reading I became sometimes very sad you know sometimes the truth was hard, and I cried but now I'm so happy that I know the truth.

So Wanda thank you for the sharing of the truth and for working on your book for all the fans to read.

Why did a fan told you to jump, who was he or she a fan of?

It couldn't have been a fan of Elvis

Perhaps a Priscilla fan

[Rainbow Light]

Hi Wanda

Yes, you hopefully know by now you have the support and backing of all of us here at ELC so, as Laurie mentioned, I hope you will feel that you can share any burdens or any thoughts/feelings on your mind with regards to any reactions you get regarding your new book?

Can understand it must be scary to 'go out on a limb' and it's likely you'll get many varied reactions to your book about our man, Elvis - can't win 'em all as they say! including from the mm - macho monkeys/memphis mafia (whatever!) but we'll be here for you at ELC anyhow!

With thoughts and prayers - kind regards, Sue

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this thread back up to the front again! With the writing, editing, publishing and release of Face to Face due later in 2008 I thought it might be time to mention that, similar with WE REMEMBER ELVIS, there will be some out there in the 'wide world web' who will go against Wanda June and not be there for any kind of support but wherever Wanda goes and whatever she does in life, I do hope and pray that she will know and be 100% assured we here at ELC forum and the Candlelight Network will ALWAYS be there for this very special lady who has shared so many special, precious memories of our dearest Elvis and given us all a far greater understanding of this man than many could EVER do!

Wanda, truly you are a wonderful lady and thanks for always being here and a part of our ELC Circle! You ROCK, dear friend!

Best wishes always to you, Jimmie, Starla and Suzy!!

Sue

[MaryInTheMorning]

Sue my dear angel!!!! :D Wanda my sweet friend, simply put: YOU'RE AWESOME, and THANK YOU for sharing such a special part of your life and your beautiful heart with us!!! Never fear my friend if you come across some who want to go against you because we've always "got your back!!!" Thank you so much dear Sue for bringing this wonderful thread back around again!!!

[Golden Sky]

Sue my dear angel!!!! :D Wanda my sweet friend, simply put: YOU'RE AWESOME, and THANK YOU for sharing such a special part of your life and your beautiful heart with us!!! Never fear my friend if you come across some who want to go against you because we've always "got your back!!!" Thank you so much dear Sue for bringing this wonderful thread back around again!!!

Mari, I second all of this. Thank you, Wanda, for having the courage to speak the truth and go out in the public eye for Elvis's sake. We all (including Elvis who I'm sure is still paying attention to earth's happenings ) appreciate it so much!

And thank you, Sue, for bringing this thread up again- I never saw it before. Elvis had me laughing so much through it.

Love,
Trish

[FairyTale]

Wheww! sometimes I have to Pinch myself so I well know I'm not Dreaming, that I was Directed here to ELC. Every time I read about a Conversation that Wanda and Elvis had it seems like I'm the one Talking to Elvis on the Phone, I can hear his Voice. I just Thank God for you Wanda for being there for Elvis when know one else Cared Enough, so he could at least Clear his Over Worked Mind and Heart. I have to also say that to me these People that Call themselves Elvis Fans, if the only thing that interest's them are the Lies that So Called Friends say, and all the Lies that have been told about Elvis. Then to me they have Closed There Minds and Hearts, and only for A Image. If you ever have a Problem with any of these Close Minded People, just let me know Because I well be Standing Right beside you. God Bless You Wanda in Every Way! Thank You! FairyTale!

[Rainbow Light]

And thank you, Sue, for bringing this thread up again- I never saw it before. Elvis had me laughing so much through it.

You're welcome, Trish!

[Laura]

I can just see him propped up on that BIG bed talking to Wanda. If they had cordless phones back then he would most likely be pacing as he talked. Haha! My husband does that. He looks like a cat on a hot tin roof.

I adore how Wanda puts his beautiful southern accent in there. Is there anything more sexy than a southern accent. I am sure he used it more than once to charm the socks off the women. I also love at the end of their conversations when Elvis says to Wanda, bye, bye baby. Love ya. Geez, that makes me melt.

[Rainbow Light]

100% agreed, Laura!

I am sure he used it more than once to charm the socks off the women. I also love at the end of their conversations when Elvis says to Wanda, bye, bye baby. Love ya. Geez, that makes me melt.

Yeah, I'll bet he did too! Geez, the way he talked makes me melt too!! The way he everything makes me melt though, come to think of it!

[FairyTale]

Ditto here to, Shoot just Looking at His Picture's or hear him sing some of his Songs Takes My Breath Away. But Lord A Mercy, if he ever talked to me and said the things he said to Wanda I swear I would have Passed Right on Out! What a Special One of a Kind that Wanda and Elvis Had!