Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Blue Moon]

Wanda, I have read in books that Elvis would sometimes forget the words to songs he had known for years. The implication in these books was that he was stoned on prescription drugs and couldn't remember the words.

You and Maia have done a good job refuting the drug abuse claims, but then what do you believe is the reason for him forgetting the words to some songs? Do you believe this has been blown out of proportion by the various writers?

I recall you mentioning that he would play with the words to a song, but would this explain the others as well? Is it that he was simply exhausted with the strenuous touring schedule and with many physical ailments wearing him down?

[Sarena]

Is it that he was simply exhausted with the strenuous touring schedule and with many physical ailments wearing him down?
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Excuse me, Laurie, if I give my comment here before Wanda, who you asked the question. I quoted here one sentence of yours and I think this was surely the main reason for his forgetting words of songs. Could happen to anyone. As we know Elvis never got over his stage fright and nervousness while performing. As he knew that his life was ebbing out he was more than before afraid he could lose the love of his fans BEFORE it (his passing) would happen. He didn't look that good anymore and of cource he HAD to take medication to be able to get on stage. The strain was tremendous.
That's my personal opinion about it.
And there were songs that Elvis seemed to have problems with to remember the words along the years ("I just can't help Believing" in TTWII, "Burning Love"....in the ALOHA concert he repeated the same verse three times, out of nervousness, I guess....and at that time he wasn't that ill)

[Amanda Viola]

I do have the same feeling about it, Christine.

[Wanda June Hill]

Was that at the rehearsal show or the satillite show that he repeated the verses in Burning Love? I know that he was very nervous, he had the detatched retina, his eye was killing him, he'd just had fluid drained out of his eye that day according to one of his onstage member's recollection, and he was still hoping but knowing it wasn't going to happen, that his little girl would be there to be part of that event. I kind of think his plate was full and he was doing the best he could...I wouuld have been a blank wall if it were me-and had a teleprompter to tell me what to say and all the lyrics! And probably someone standing by to coach me too! He was out there as usual, doing it on his own as far as keeping it straight. He hadn't slept much either-so that alone blunts the memory of most people...though he seemed to do it pretty well for years... He messed up on songs off and on his whole life out of being nervous or just playing around with them. Usually he'd look at Charlie or someone else on stage and kind of grin at them acknowledging his boo-boos...and go right on. I do know that the stress he was under at the Aloha shows was a bit more than normal-he was realizing at that time his dreams and hopes for ever having Priscilla back in his life as his wife/mate was over-he knew at that time he had to give it up and get on with his life...that changed everything between them as far as he was concerned...he accepted it finally at that time...though he had to "get over it" for sometime after. It was like someone took a sharp knife and cut the cord-that's what he said-his words-he asked her to bring Lisa and to come, he said he told her he wanted them to be there-to share it with him-that he needed them there-now I don't know if he actually said "I need you to be there" or that he was "nervous and scared" or if he assumed she would know those things because he asked her to come-wanted his daughter to be there- who knows, maybe he thought he made himself clear, maybe because he felt so much about it he felt she would understand-who knows now-but he sure thought she would be there-he waited, he kept watching for them, right to the time of the show apparently-and even thought they might be sitting where he could see them to surprise him-Charlie said that to a friend of ours at one of the Vegas shows-And when the director of the show or whom ever he was producer whatever, noticed how much Elvis missed his wife, wanted her to be there and how angry he was at her and hurt, so much so that a stranger noticed and was moved to tears over this man's pain and heart ache, that really got to me. I then understood that it was hard for Elvis to be there, performing for the WORLD (that really blew him out of the water when he thought about the size of that audience) and that the ones he loved so much, especially his little girl, wasn't there with him to share and to give him support. His dad was there, Linda was there (I think she was, but can not be positive now-he might have left her home since he was expecting his wife and child???? I know she was in is life already and had been and he and she were closer after the Aloha show)
I will try to put his "forgetfullness" more into Face to Face girls, in case there are those who need a bit more convincing. I too, think that exhaustion, pain, lack of sleep and nerves were a good part of his problem with words at those shows, and others as well. The last concert tour he was having problems here and there and even in the tv show on Are You Lonesome he flubbed them up BUT he didn't miss a cue, he went right through and then picked it up exactly on cue... he was clear enough to make it funny, even though crying through the song, making it funny...as always the consumate performer. God how his heart must have been breaking, if there was any part of it not already broken a dozen places already...I believe the knew he'd never perform again...and had no intention of trying...he had not packed his books for that next tour...they always went on tour with him-he had not packed anything he would personally pack to take...nor did he ask anyone to do it...while he told them what to get...he knew. he was waiting, hoping I think, that he would not have to go and he didn't. I think he asked God to please, I want to go home...and He listened, looked upon his tired and worn out child and said, "Come home son, I need you here."
Elvis had just told me not long before, "God won't be that mean to me, He's gonna send momma and I'm gonna go home." Maybe that's what I'm going to say in Face to Face...along with a bit of the other. I wasn't going to cry over him again, but I can't seem to stop it sometimes. I'm a "big baby too" Elvis...when it comes to you, damn it. wjh

[Amanda Viola]

I think he asked God to please, I want to go home...and He listened, looked upon his tired and worn out child and said, "Come home son, I need you here."
Elvis had just told me not long before, "God won't be that mean to me, He's gonna send momma and I'm gonna go home." Maybe that's what I'm going to say in Face to Face...along with a bit of the other. I wasn't going to cry over him again, but I can't seem to stop it sometimes. I'm a "big baby too" Elvis...when it comes to you, damn it. wjh

Just reading what you say above, Wanda, I feel too that he asked and was given what he needed: to go home.

I'm not you, but I have felt tears coming to my eyes also. What makes me cry is to recognize the dialogue of Love between Elvis and God, the closeness and the trust of it. So intimate and direct. I know because once I asked the same and was answered. That time, in the last second, I chose to stay.

[Blue Moon]

christine, i had similar thoughts to you as well but wanted the subject brought up for others to see, especially given the slander which is out there.

wanda, i could not help but tear in that last part. very moving.

and thank you for your comments on why he was forgetful. people, including some so called "fans", are so quick to jump on elvis and say the reason for his forgetfulness at times was due to being high on prescription drugs. we know otherwise but i was hoping to see you address this issue in a post. and am glad it will have some mention in face to face to counteract what others have written. They don't give him any margin for being human and physically ill. so thank you for setting the record straight.

[Rainbow Light]

Thank you for sharing as above, Wanda - brought me to tears also specially the very last part of your post and those tears along with others here are for Elvis being so very special in our lives also, you have the very deep and personal recollections and memories of having known Elvis personally; from that standpoint; knowing that Elvis gave everything even while suffering so much due to his poor health and broken heart, you would have more reason to know tears over him than us at times too!

They don't give him any margin for being human and physically ill. so thank you for setting the record straight.

So very right, Laurie!!

[Blue Moon]

well sue it just seems that anytime elvis made a mistake or wasn't his perfect best then somebody somewhere will blame it presp. drugs. i've seen that in books and from fans as well, fans who believe believe the errors and distortions i guess.

if you or i were nervous or ill, we would be more forgetful too. i sometimes think if someone found out that elvis stubbed his toe on such a date, an author somewhere would write in a book that elvis stubbed his toe due to persp. drugs.

i think wanda's book can help to dispell the overly critical attitude toward elvis as folks see for themselves how alert elvis was in his last years. i just hope her book reaches enough people to have an impact. i pray that it will.

[Rainbow Light]

Right on, Laurie! Certainly, this is so very true and so much has been said or reported about the prescription drugs and take your point up that even had Elvis stubbed his toe it would have "had" to have been down to that but for those of us who know so much better about Elvis and the extent of his health problems, these comments, reports and so on have become tiresome and most frustrating knowing that those who are repeating the same mistakes neither know or really care as long as they are able to "get a good story" and that negative stuff on someone sells!

Like yourself and others on ELC, hope so very much that Wanda's book will be able to reach a wider audience and help change others perceptions about Elvis.