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)

(Going into Face to Face-a "quickie" little bit not used in WR,E. It went along with the section used when he speaks about loving gospel and blues in the interview. It was after midnight Pacific time, he was alone, upstairs playing records and wanted someone to "share" with so he called me knowing I would be up as Jim worked swing shift. His upstairs rooms were soundproofed as his dad and new wife lived there earlier and had fussed about the "noise" all night etc; So Elvis had the best soundproofing installed-also why the den ceiling was carpeted-more soundproofing and doing that, gave Elvis quieter day time sleep too. I don't know where Linda might have been.)

Wanda: So-your favorite music was always gospel and blues-right?
Elvis: Yeah-gospels were-were the...eh, most important to me, how...eh...the feelin', ya know, the feelin' ya get singing them...bein' where it's goin' on an' all. Growin' up listenin' to the radio an' church singin's...tha...that was it for me then...'n blues is jus' the same kinda music with-eh, different kinda words put to it...still feelin's are there an' it's like jus' one and the same if you don' pick out the words, ya know. All music we have today came from there...from blues an' rythum 'n blues...gospels...
Wanda: Who would you say you like to listen to, any one in paticular?
Elvis: Naw...jus' lots of 'em...jus' was listen 'n to Solomon Burke earlier (sings a little bit of Got To Get You Off My Mind) 'member that one?
Wanda: Yep...
Elvis: Got lots of records, old ones like Etta Jones-know her?
Wanda: No...what's one she's done?
Elvis: (Humms then sings, "At Last My Love Has Come Along....") 'member?
Wanda: Yes-she has a great style.
Elvis: Yeah...an' Wilson Picket...Midnight Hour 'n If You Love Me Let Me Know It...
Wanda: They play him quite a bit on the station Julie listens to...
Elvis: Roy Tex...(Sings "Better Hold On To What You Got") That's a good one. Jerry Butler (sings a bit of Only The Strong Survive) that's his, ya know.
Wanda: You did it just like he did too, I noticed.
Elvis: When somethin's good, don' mess with it... (Sings I Been Lovin' You So Long baby... Then goes into Lonely Tear Drops...) Know him, huh?
Wanda: Yeah the guy you copied quite a few moves from...Jackie Wilson! I like him alot too.
Elvis (Laughs) Yeah, great guy, (Giggles) Like his moves-huh?
Wanda: Sure...and on you they look pretty good!
Elvis: (Laughs) Thank you darliln'...he got a kick out of seein' me doin' him!
Wanda: I bet he did!
Elvis: James Brown said I was doin' him too...but wasn't. He came up later on...kinda like his This Is A Man's World...you heard it?
Wanda: Yeah, he was on tv the other day and did that one.
Elvis: Really...missed it.
Wanda: So who would you say is your favorite?
Elvis: Hard to pick just one...kinda like 'em all but if I had to...gawd...guess it'd have to be... Hell, can't choose just one! Ray Charles...an' Fats...Domino...(sings a bit of Blue Berry Hill almost a verse...then laughs)
Wanda: If you just had a piano!
Elvis: yeah-be glad a don't...couldn't stop me-get me started here.
Wanda: I think that would be great-to sit around listening and watching you play and sing, buddy.
Elvis: Yeah? Well, get your little old self up here 'n we'll do it-jus' me 'n you.
Wanda: Where are you?
Elvis: Memphis...even got a spare room...if you wanted it...(said in his sultry soft on stage style)
Wanda: Uh-huh...well, this is just as good-and less dangerous...
Elvis: ( Laughs) Not near as fun...'nother time...won't hold ma breath though...(snickers)
Wanda: (Laughs) No...don't think I would if I were you!

[Blue Moon]

Interesting to read about Elvis' preferences for singers and types of music. And of course, at the end, Elvis had to tease you Wanda and you knew just how to take it with such ease.

[Wanda June Hill]

Yeah, well, I had lots of practice "fending him off"-not really, he was just a big kidder. It was easy to see how he had so many women after him and with him though-because you know if he did that with them, most of them would take him up on the spot! So it wasn't something he just did with me, it was just his "line" and it worked for him pretty well I think. He knew he was "safe" with me though, and got a kick out of seeing what I would say back at him. It was funny, we always laughed because I caught on to that side of him very quickly-I think he would have ran as fast as he could if I had ever taken him up on any of his little innuendos-It would have just about blown his mind and as he said, "sure would have ruined a good friendship". You betcha! You'll get your book pretty quickly too-all the US people will - however it's questionable how soon they'll get them overseas-England will be pretty quick but some of the others-like Turkey and one is going to China! She doesn't speak English but her sister can a little bit and they ordered an autographed book! They "read and look at pictures" on the website but are not posting or members yet...So there are people everywhere coming and reading here. Kind of scary! Big audience! At least I don't have to go out there and stand in front of them...yeeks! I did that one time, and it was amazing-I couldn't see a thing for the big spot lights, the entire room in front of me was solid blackness and I realized a little bit of what Elvis saw and felt going out into that "void" with just his group up there behind him. There was a small band behind me in the darkness and I was just the MC for our little convention at the time. Then I ran the slide show that was narrated by Elvis with some of the interview intermixed with other interviews and his recordings. It was over an hour long and the audience really did enjoy it. It was so quiet when they listened to him talking...hardly a cough and there were lots of kids who were like little mice too. Amazing reaction. I still have that slide show and the tape but nothing to play it on...it's a big reel to reel and need a professional slide projector also. Maybe one day-
will do it again. who knows. It would work even to day.
Wjh

[Amanda Viola]

It must have been wonderful to have Elvis humming and singing in your ear, Wanda!

And those funny provoking interchanges between you... they are great to read!

Maybe some day that big reel will be converted in a new digitalized version and we'll be able to see it. Hope so.

[Rainbow Light]

Thanks as always for sharing with us all, Wanda and so great to read of your conversations with Elvis, you were able to speak with him as a friend and I'm sure he much appreciated the fact he could speak and be himself with you because, unlike most women around him, you didn't get pushy or crazy around him - that must have been most refreshing for Elvis I would have thought even though both he and you had a few teasing words sometimes!

[Wanda June Hill]

As long and as often as I listened to him, he didn't do that but maybe 3 times, once he sang happy birthday do me ...but he didn't sing on the phone much at all...he just happened to be alone, was listening to records and wanted to have some company doing it---he liked having people there to "Share" and enjoy it with him as it made it better for him...and too, I was doing the interview thing, and had asked him about his music choices and people and it kind of fell into that-I didn't use the first part as it was just "light" and it fits into the interview part where he's telling his early days and how he loved gospel and etc:... there are a few bits and pieces from the interview similiar, different subjects and some I'm putting in F to F as it's the last chance. I'm even considering a couple of dirty jokes he told...they are funny but dirty...and he got a kick out telling them in his off handed way...then waiting for the catch on to catch up...one was about an octapus...A couple won't hurt any one...they aren't disgustingly dirty. I wish they would release his Crying Time Again funny version with the guys in full, and also I'm so Hurt one too. But that probably is too much for some ears... He who said One Night With You was about venereral disease...yeah...and sang it that way...but not on a record... I know they have sooo much more but too timid to put it out. wjh

[Amanda Viola]

there are a few bits and pieces from the interview similiar, different subjects and some I'm putting in F to F as it's the last chance. I'm even considering a couple of dirty jokes he told...they are funny but dirty...and he got a kick out telling them in his off handed way...then waiting for the catch on to catch up...one was about an octapus...A couple won't hurt any one...they aren't disgustingly dirty.

Well, his sense of humor sure had a wide range, I can imagine!

Today's people is supposed to be more open minded, if one considers what appears on TV, for instance. Or published in books.

If they are not "disgustingly dirty"... It's a pity they get lost. That one about an octopus sets my imagination already.

I'm sure you have a good instint to resolve what to put in.

[Wanda June Hill]

I never thought about getting it done over-I wonder if it could be put on a DVD? Think I will check into that because it is a really good thing to see and hear. Some of the pictures are questionable as they don't belong to me, movie stills and etc; but if I was not "selling" it then it wouldn't be any kind of copy write infringement????
I could get a copy made maybe a couple so one would be saved in case one got messed up sometime-and it could be copied for new ones. Then they could be sent out to anyone wanting to just pay for a blank DVD cost and postage. Sounds like a plan to me-will have to check into that. Thank you for the idea-never even occured to me but then I live in the "olden times" pretty much. wjh

[Amanda Viola]

You are now open to the world and its technical advancements, Wanda!

You are an Elvis' truth keeper and have a lot of work ahead. Don't think you are going on hollydays so soon. He wouldn't let you so easily.

(Wanda, tonight at the group meditation, I have seen you brightly full of life and energy. And joy.)

[Rainbow Light]

Think the DVD would be a great idea if possible to get going; in the meantime thanks for sharing more with us Wanda and the octopus joke; hmmm, interesting!

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

Thank you Wanda this is great thank you so very much for sharing all your wonderful and precious memories really mean alot to me!! Yes the DVD idea sounds great!

Elvis Always And Forever And Ever!
Fran

[Rainbow Light]

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this topic back up round to the front for anyone who may not have read as yet - as always, please feel free to post thoughts, comments, feedback etc.

[Amanda Viola]

Thank you, Sue! Just want to remind Wanda that she has yet, a lot of work to do related to Elvis: for instance, that slide show digitalized...

[Wanda June Hill]

That one will have to take a back seat until I get F 2 F done and then WR,E recorded will be in the works then also and then I may do the little book of just conversations posted? And then can start looking around for getting the slide show done...there are places that do that-it's on tape, not film and would need to be doneon film with sound to fit pictures-he talks alot on it too, and I will add a bit more I think. As long as I don't sell it, it ought to be okay to do it-I could give it away with something else-like a book maybe? Have to look into the in's and outs of rules for copywrited things...his voice is totally and so are the conversations-not allowed in public use as for sale etc:...I'm not sure about anything else. I was warned a long time ago and subtle threats about legal action were mentioned...I don't have the money to go through anything like that and have not a wish to get into it over anything. So, it would have to be thoughtfully applied to fit the rules. Mainly, I would not sell it-it would be a freebe and so what could they say about that? Have to find out. wjh