Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Laura]

I was flabbergasted when I heard Nancy Rooks say that Elvis told her that after the August 16th, 1977 tour he wasn't going on the road anymore. He also told her that he was going to make movies again.

Another thing that shocked me was when Nancy confirmed that Elvis wanted to get rid of most of the MM devils and hire new help. She said Elvis told her he was going to get rid of the colonel and only keep a few of the MM that he had. If I had to guess I would say that he would have kept Charlie, Jerry and Gene Smith. I didn't quite understand the part where she says that Elvis told her he didn't have time to train new people. Why wouldn't he have time if he wasn't touring anymore?

Wanda, did Elvis ever say any of these things to you and who do you think he would have kept for MM if he was only keeping a few?

http://www.elvis2001.net/dick%20grob%20 ... 0krein.htm

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi, yes that's what he thought- he didn't want to tour anymore or play Vegas any more. He wanted to take time off, get his health better, do some "good fims" and maybe direct too, he thought he had a good "eye" for camera work etc:...and he said he was going to get rid of the Colonel, pay him off and get a new manager... I think he would have hired Red back, kept Larry, Charlie, Jerry, Grobe and maybe Sam T. and there were a few others, but quite a few would be gone too- he'd had enough of the "tattling and whining" as he put it...maybe Joe but I'm not certain since he was close with the Colonel but he might have had knowledge Elvis thought he might need so... but he didn't name names... there were some he liked alot. He probably would have had Ed Parker around alot too- and he wanted to go somewhere like Hawaii to get some peace and quiet and just relax from it all so he could "think clear again". He said his head was so full of stuff and he couldn't think clearly, too much goin' on and nothin' I can do when I got to work and try to rest up enough to do it.
He said things were so out of hand, and he was so sick of it all and so much "shit goin' down" and he meant lawyer stuff etc: he just wanted to rest...he said, "If I don't get rid of all this confusion and turmoil around here, I'm gonna explode!" He was no saint, he admitted that, but he wanted to change his life, to do something worth while and that he enjoyed and thought he could do better with a different manager. He also wanted to do gospel concerts... and tour overseas. I guess his heart did.... he just ran out of time. But he had some good ideas to try to fix things... he really wanted to do that...but the clock was ticking and his time was up... wjh

[MaryInTheMorning]

Thanks so much for posting this link to the very interesting interview that Joe K. did with Nancy Rooks dear Laura. I just listened to it a little while ago myself and I have to say that with all the "shit goin' down" as Elvis put it and how much pressure, stress and turmoil that Elvis was under at that time it actually didn't surprise me to hear that he wasn't going to tour anymore. I can only imagine how he must have been feeling physically and emotionally at that point in his life and it breaks my heart every time I think about it. I also say "good for him" for wanting to FINALLY get rid of the so-called "Col." and with whichever of the MM he was wanting to get rid of then!!! If I were to have ventured a guess at who he would've kept, it would pretty much be the ones you mentioned above dear Wanda. Thanks to you also dear angel for your insight to the situation that was going on at this time in his life, and for always helping us to understand things better.

[Blue Moon]

Thanks for letting us know Laura. I'm sure I will listen to Nancy's interview at some point, though having dial-up makes it go slowly due to all the buffering.

I read Nancy Rook's book, "Inside Graceland" and really enjoyed it. It was written from a caring and unique perspective. One thing I remember in particular are some of the ghostly experiences she had at Graceland. Clearly Graceland is haunted. Question is by whom??

[Skylar Star]

Thanks for the link Laura. I have been meaning to pick up her book.

[Wanda June Hill]

Laura, every time I read "Walk softly, speak gently etc:" I think of what Elvis said, "Walk quietly, speak softly and carry a big stick!" I like your version better! He had to get something funny out of it though...wjh

[Laura]

That is so funny Wanda. From what I've read about him, that sound just like something he would say. Always the funny one. His laugh is so contagious. I listen to it over and over again on You Tube.

[ALNA]

thanks Wanda for again a good insight

[MaryInTheMorning]

Laura, every time I read "Walk softly, speak gently etc:" I think of what Elvis said, "Walk quietly, speak softly and carry a big stick!" I like your version better! He had to get something funny out of it though...wjh

Laura's version is so very beautiful, but reading Elvis' version just now gave me such a giggle. Like you said dear Wanda, he had to get something funny out of it!! That's our boy "fer sure!!" Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[Rainbow Light]

Laura's version is so very beautiful, but reading Elvis' version just now gave me such a giggle. Like you said dear Wanda, he had to get something funny out of it!! That's our boy "fer sure!!"

Sure, that's our boy!! Thanks, Wanda for sharing as always! Can imagine that laugh, that smile and that makes my little ole heart light up like a beacon in the night!!

Many thanks, Laura, for sharing the link and will be checking the interview out after posting here! Somehow I missed earlier so please forgive me! There were people I'd have liked Elvis to have ditched from immediately around him, I won't mention their names but no doubt you'll all know who I mean anyways!

[ELVIS2001NET]

i am so glad you all enjoyed Nancys interview.
it makes it worth it.
love you all
joe krein
www.elvis2001.net

[Laura]

I find her so refreshing and fascinating. There is an air of sweetness to her voice that I love. I wish she would write another book. I am sure she has so many more stories to tell. I love to hear the possitive, happy stories of when Elvis felt his best. I would also love to hear some more stories of his silliness and his times with little Lisa.

Thank you so much Joe for all the wonderful interviews you do. I am riveted by them.

[Wanda Mc]

According to Larry Geller's book, Elvis tried to ditch Col. a number of times, but apparently Col. hadn't collected all of his sizeable % of Elvis's income over the years, and he would claim that if Elvis fired him, he would be owed about $2 million. Since Elvis didn't have that kind of cash to pay him off, he felt that he had no choice but to keep him. By '77, Elvis was determined to be rid of him and let Tom Hullett be his manager after the August tour. Too bad it never happened. I think the overseas touring that Elvis had talked about since his release from the Army would've been a boost to him, and you know the fans would've eaten him up!

Also on Graceland being haunted, I wish I could remember where I read or heard that Elvis felt that his mother's spirit was still there, and at least one time, everyone was seated in the dining room when they all heard what sounded like Gladys's voice calling Elvis's name.

[Laura]

I am sure that the Col. is down there trying to make money deals with the devil and I am also sure that Elvis is extending his hand to him from heaven. I don't know if the Col. would grab Elvis' hand unless he offers him some money first. What a pure, forgiving heart Elvis had. What an example to try to follow. Poor Elvis didn't realize until the end that he didn't have to cast his pearls before swine.

I feel so bad when I picture Elvis staying in his upstairs in his own house because he didn't want to deal with any of the baloney going on downstairs. It makes me want to cry because I know that I would have done the same thing. When I am not feeling well I just don't want to deal with the world either. I have such empathy for him.

[ELVIS2001NET]

I did an interview with my friend Jamie Dumas. She talks about Elvis felt his moms spirt was in Graceland. here is the link to the audio interview.
http://www.elvis2001.net/interviews.htm

hope you like it.
joe krein
elvis2001