Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Blue Moon]

Wanda,

I have a friend, a long devoted Elvis fan, who was told by an insider that Elvis was to retire after the last tour, that he had had enough of the fans and the stage life; he wanted privacy and to be left alone. She is very upset at hearing this. She wonders why she continues to make trips to Graceland if Elvis no longer wanted anything to do with his fans near the end of his life.

Please can you comment on this. Is it true that Elvis wanted nothing more to do with his fans toward the end of his life, or was it just that the touring schedule was too strenuous for him, especially given that he was so ill?

[Wanda June Hill]

Elvis loved going before his fans more than he loved life-
It was his purpose, his reason for being-to sing, to bring happiness and joy to his fans, those people who made him Elvis, who gave him the life he had and made everything he dreamed a reality. The last years of his life he was failing in health, he felt bad, his eyes were a constant pain for him, he wanted to look good, to be perfect for his fans and he couldn't do it anymore, his body changed, he tried his best to stay young, handsome and light weight as always, so he could be agile and dance and energetic on stage-but due to his failing liver, his colon problems, his lowered immunity to illnesses picked up from being on the road in hotels and arenas and yes, kissing the girls -he was sick more than half the time. He went out feeling pretty good but it never lasted much past the first few days on the road and he began to tire, to be feeling worse by the day. he didn't want his fans to see him that way, it hurt him that he couldn't change the way he looked sometimes. It was hard on him, yet when he got on stage, he said it was all worth it, the love he received from his fans made it so, he loved his job, dearly loved it and those that gave him the job-his fans. No, he wasn't fed up with them, or tired of it all, no he didn't want to quit and no he didn't lose his love for them...not at all. He wanted to slow down, to do someting else they would enjoy, he wanted to go to Europe where fans had not seen him live and he wanted to make good movies for his fans-something worthwhile. He would have loved to have his own studio and made good movies-and he dreamed of doing that some day. He was only 42-he thought he would have time. But in that last year, I think he was told the truth, that he was in serious trouble, that his days were numbered and there was little they could do for him. Surgery might not fix it, and he'd have to live with it and he feared he would not be able to go out and perform for his fans...truly feared he would lose them because he wouldn't be able to give them what they wanted...a live, beautiful, agile and graceful Elvis. He was working so hard, driving himself to get enough money to pay off things so that he would be free to do and go where he wanted to and not where he was told.
He liked playing smaller arenas where he could see his fans, communicate with them one on one, he couldn't do that in big places, that would have been one change he would have made-smaller venues and intimate gatherings with fans, but he would still have to have those fans...they were his life's blood...he needed them to love him.... I don't care what anyone says -Elvis loved his fans, put them first when he could and always looked out for them. He so enjoyed wearing beautiful clothes out there and hearing them ooo and aww...nobody could walk out like Elvis...nobody could strut like him, preen like him and no one had that smile...if it were not for his fans, there would have never been an Elvis...how could he not love them? Foolish people might think otherwise, but intelligence and truth rules here- An Elvis fan whom ever they may be was important to Elvis-and he never forgot them. not ever. The last concerts he did were like a gift from him to his fans, he knew he wasn't going to be able to continue much longer, that's why he allowed it to be filmed, people could look at him and see he was ill, not drugged out of his mind, simply failing health and he couldn't fix it. He handed over that last scarff as if it was a finale time, ceremonially gave it away and then it was over. I don't think he expected to ever go on stage again after those shows were done. It is my belief he knew he was going to die and maybe, almost to the day. Through it all, the one common factor in his life was those fans, he could always count on them. They never let him down. Yes, Elvis lived to perform for his fans because they loved him and they never let him down. wjh

[Blue Moon]

Thanks Wanda for your reply, and I have emailed the link to my friend. I hope it helps her to see how much Elvis loved his fans, even to his final days.

He sure suffered in those final years. I wish there could have been more time for the rest of his dreams to be fulfilled, but his body was just too worn out.

[ALNA]

Wanda,

Your above comment was so beautiful said. It touched me deeply.

Nadine

[Rainbow Light]

Beautifully said, Wanda - so touching and hope that it will bring comfort and reassurance to your friend, Laurie!

Pleased and proud as always to be an Elvis fan!

[Amanda Viola]

Thank you very much Wanda, for your comment. It brought gooseskin all over my body. You put there all your Truth and we know it's also Elvis' Truth.

[Rainbow Light]

RIGHT ON, AMANDA!

[Amanda Viola]

[Lovetheboy]

Thank you so much Wanda.... it was very well said, thank you so much

[Rainbow Light]

[Rainbow Light]

After reading the above posting from Wanda and her book, who would ever be able to doubt it?!

[Amanda Viola]

After reading the above posting from Wanda and her book, who would ever be able to doubt it?!

Can't imagine!

[maia]

Wanda, I remember you saying that when Elvis said "Adios" at the end of his taped Last Concert Tour shows, he was truly saying "Goodbye."

[Wanda June Hill]

That is one interperatation and the one that he had mentioned to me a few months earlier and I don't recall what brough it up other than he liked looking word meanings up-maybe he had abook of things he was reading...? But the way he handed out that last scarf to the lady, and the way he presented it, then stood back and he had a satisfied look on his poor smeared make up face, but he put his hands in the air, and posed a bit then turned and purposely strode off that stage as if determined or glad about it being over...I don't know, that scene stands out in my memory so much...and I barely have seen it-have not but just that one time and then that's about all I can recall other than the crying/laughing are you lonesome tonight song...on which he did not miss a beat...he was playing with it but he kept up, he didn't miss one cue with all that going on.
My brother in law who was watching the show at his home had his wife call and say, did we see what he did?
Did we see him give that scarf away, it was a finale presentation-that's it for him. I was surprised, he wasn't usually that adept at seeing things about anything. But he nailed that one. Elvis was going across the country saying Until we meet again, Adois, and may God bless you as he as Blessed me. He purposely started saying that-every show...right to the end. He could say goodbye and not shake people up doing it...he found a way. wjh

[Blue Moon]

the next time i view the elvis in concert special i will pay particular attention to the ending. i've only seen eic twice. it is hard for me to watch as i know it was close to his final performance.

can recall other than the crying/laughing are you lonesome tonight song...on which he did not miss a beat...he was playing with it but he kept up, he didn't miss one cue with all that going on.

wanda, it's interesting what you say in the above quote because as i recall elvis did not speak all the words in the song. you state that he was "playing" with the words. i'm so glad to hear you say that and wish you could some how fit that into face to face because so many people think that he was forgeting the words due to being stoned on prescription drugs. we know otherwise but it is not common belief.