Dr. George Nichopoulos does not want his grandchildren to grow up thinking of him as a Dr. Feelgood who killed Elvis Presley.

The white-haired 82-year-old former personal physician to the rock superstar dodged parallels Tuesday to his role as a one-time suspect in Elvis' death and that of Michael Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, under investigation in the death of the King of Pop.
Makeup artist Jackie Jason puts her final touches on Dr. George Nichopoulos before his Tuesday "Entertainment Tonight" interview.

Mike Maple/The Commercial AppealMike Maple/The Commercial Appeal

Makeup artist Jackie Jason puts her final touches on Dr. George Nichopoulos before his Tuesday "Entertainment Tonight" interview.
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Nichopoulos sat down with a crew from TV's "Entertainment Tonight," announcing a book, "The King and Dr. Nick," due out in February. In it, the doctor says he will tell the world he is tired of being accused of hastening Elvis' death.

"I don't regret any of the medications I gave him. They were necessities," Nichopoulos said. Dr. Nick, as he was known, was acquitted in 1981 on charges he overprescribed drugs to Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and seven others.

Much of the public was unconvinced. "Even though I was acquitted, there's still a population of people out there who didn't buy this. They wanted to blame somebody," Nichopoulos said.

"Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Victoria Recano repeatedly asked Nichopoulos to compare his role as Elvis' physician to that of Jackson's embattled doctor. Publicists for Nichopoulos' Nashville publisher, Thomas Nelson Inc., said Nichopoulos wanted to "steer clear" of the comparisons.

The interview is scheduled to air on tonight's segment of "Entertainment Tonight" at 6:30 on WREG-TV, Channel 3. The interview was at Sam Phillips Recording Studio. Rose Phillips, wife of Judd Phillips (nephew of Sun founder Sam Phillips), collaborated with Nichopolous on the book. "He loved Elvis dearly," she said, and was disappointed that he lost his license temporarily when the State Board of Medical Examiners found that he over-prescribed prescriptions for Elvis and others. It was again revoked in 1995 on similar charges. "I've detected hurt from the fact that he was never able to get matters clarified," Rose Phillips said.

Asked about the "biggest lie" over his role, Nichopoulos said: "There were so many. I guess the thing that hit me the most was I worked very hard trying to do all the right things with Elvis ... He was such a challenge. I was constantly trying to find new ways to deal with it ... It all seemed to come back in my face. I was the whipping boy."

Nichopoulos said he treated Elvis primarily for arthritis, an impacted colon and insomnia.

"Unfortunately there's not a drug you can give somebody to take care of everything. You need a different drug for every situation." He said he served as doctor for not only Elvis but up to 150 people on the road. Nichopoulos said Elvis insisted the prescriptions be written in his name in order to keep his father, Vernon Presley, from getting upset by the cost of prescription drugs for so many people. "So it looked like he (Elvis) was taking all these drugs because the prescriptions were in his name."

As Elvis' reliance on drugs became evident, Nichopoulos said he often prescribed placebos.

Nichopoulos and his attorney, Dan Warlick, said drugs in Elvis' system were not at "toxic or lethal levels" when he died. "He died a natural death," said Warlick.

Most of the autopsy team at Baptist Memorial Hospital attributed the death to "polypharmacy" or drug interaction, but former medical examiner Dr. Jerry Francisco said last year he stands by his 1977 ruling that Elvis died of cardiac arrhythmia, not drugs.

-- Michael Lollar: 529-2793
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Posted by uofm2alumni on July 29, 2009 at 1:28 a.m.

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I sure hope he got the parallel to how both men were pedophiles. Michael was an accused one and Elvis was guilty one.

One will ask, how can you say Elvis was guilty of pedophilia? Glad you asked; He dated Priscilla at the age of 15. This grown man got permission from Priscilla's mother but it still did not change the fact that she was only 15! That's pedophilia!

Please have that in the book sir! The truth shall set free!

Posted by tny11 on July 29, 2009 at 3:29 a.m.

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in response to uofm2alumni

You uninformly state:"I sure hope he got the parallel to how both men were pedophiles. Michael was an accused one and Elvis was guilty one.

One will ask, how can you say Elvis was guilty of pedophilia? Glad you asked; He dated Priscilla at the age of 15. This grown man got permission from Priscilla's mother but it still did not change the fact that she was only 15! That's pedophilia!

Please have that in the book sir! The truth shall set free!"
-------------------------------------

Maybe this truth will set YOU free.

The fact is Elvis didn't date her when she was 15 in Germany, she came to his house as a number of people did back then and she was there in a group. Did he sit and talk with her at times? Yes but no dates. She came to Memphis three years later with her parents permission after she begged them. Her father brought her over to make sure she would be living with Elvis' father and his wife in a separate house from Elvis and that she finish high school.

So if you feel the need to place blame on anyone blame her parents for allowing her to come over and in fact one of them accompanying her.

I will commend you though this is the first time I've seen you post a comment that isn't racist. Although I know the underlying racial reason you deemed it necessary to do the comparison and stick your foot in your mouth.

Stick to what you know and Elvis is one subject you don't know diddly.

Posted by SamGould on July 29, 2009 at 5:30 a.m.

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in response to tny11

"Stick to what you know and Elvis is one subject you don't know diddly."

You got that right! That "uofmalumni" is an annoying knob, at best. The fact is, he/she/it knows very little about ANYTHING, it continually posts on almost every topic here, it must enjoy being humiliated!

Posted by rd on July 29, 2009 at 5:51 a.m.

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in response to uofm2alumni

"I sure hope he got the parallel to how both men were pedophiles.
Michael was an accused one and Elvis was guilty one."

First, you should google for definitions.
The girl was fifteen which wouldn't make Elvis a pedophile and as far as is publicly known he didn't have a general preference even for fifteen year olds.
Secondly, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Jackson was a pedophile.
None, nada, zip, zilch.
An accusation isn't evidence and nothing followed the accusations but the usual and typical gossipy press cultivated rumors.
And oh how the public loves that sort of thing.
Pretty sad thing to happen to the man.

Posted by peggyisonagain on July 29, 2009 at 6:44 a.m.

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I too think that doctors prescribe too many drugs to their patients. We are the microwave generation and want everything quick and right now. People need to find other means to treat and soothe themselves, i.e. music, meditation, exercise, massages, hot tubs, nutrition, etc.. Drugs should be a last resort after other more natural methods have been tried but failed.

An interesting parallel between the celebrities who have died while under a doctor's care is that they were trying to get SLEEP. If they'd been trying to get HIGH, I guess they would have went to the streets and found a dealer. It is so pathethic to get hooked and dependent on drugs in order to sleep. Our bodies can only take so much. Some people just work themselves into an early grave and don't know how to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Did Elvis die a premature death? I think, Yes. Did drug use contribute to his premature death? I think, Yes. If he'd chosen a healthier lifestyle would he have lived longer? Probably so. Did the attending physician provide negligent care? I think, Yes.

Posted by youbetcha on July 29, 2009 at 7:49 a.m.

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Good for you Dr. Nic...it's time you had the opportunity to tell your side of the story. You are a good man.

Posted by twilightzone on July 29, 2009 at 8:56 a.m.

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in response to tny11

You are an idiot. Get a life.

Posted by sailorpirate4life on July 29, 2009 at 8:58 a.m.

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in response to uofm2alumni

Michael was an accused????

Are you serious? Elvis did not have little children spend the night, and forbid the parents from being in the same house.....but your beloved Michael did.

Elvis was never taken to court, TWICE.....but your beloved Michael was.

I am not saying that one was worse then the other. But I find it humorous that so many want to forget the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson. What's next; OJ is actually innocent?

Posted by twilightzone on July 29, 2009 at 9:01 a.m.

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in response to twilightzone

I am sooooo sorry tny11. my post was for uofm2alumni.

Posted by pay_attention on July 29, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.

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So Elvis would have rather gone to his grave w/everyone thinking he was a pill-popping maniac than have his dad know he was covering medical expenses for his road crew?

Nuh-uh. Not feeling it.

Posted by sailorpirate4life on July 29, 2009 at 9:09 a.m.

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in response to rd

Michael Jackson was not a pedophile? I did not know that it was normal for grown men to have sleep overs with children, forbidding their parents to sleep over in the same house either.

Next thing you know, both OJ and Vick are actually innocent.......yea ok.

Posted by BogeyMan on July 29, 2009 at 9:41 a.m.

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Everyone knows Dr. Nick didn't kill Elvis, what he ate did.
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I am glad you posted this Barb. And that Dr. Nick is telling the truth about Elvis paying for everyone's medical care -including the orchestra when they were all on the road and in Vegas. It is true he had it all put in his name to keep his dad from worrying over money. Vernon had a bad heart and Elvis was fearful he would die because he would become so enraged at the costs. He thought his son was wasteful and giving away his money, but Elvis was just taking care of people, his friends and those he counted on to back him up on stage. Also, Elvis had a severe colon problem, brought on by genetics and not just because of what "he ate" though sometimes, like a normal person might do, he did cheat and eat something he knew was a no-no, as Lisa would tell him.
Priscilla wrote in her book that Elvis was a gentleman and that "they waited" until marriage. Knowing Elvis' thoughts about virginity, and marriage, I believe her.
And him. Rumors are one thing, truth is entirely different...but today's "news broadcasters" don't know the difference any more. Everything is all about the ratings because higher ratings mean stations can get more money from advertisers. The bigger the viewing audience the more the newsman or woman can make in salaries-and it's all entertainment. We out in "radio land" must be entertained or we get restless and switch channels... and today it's all so fast-and right now!
It is nice to have Dr. Nick's take, as I said in 1978- and was called a liar etc: for saying it, the same thing. Weird, one more time the facts speak for themselves...but then how many will believe him? I hope that quite a few people will give it some thought before tossing out their opinions so freely when they have not even met the man, Elvis. some weren't even born when he was alive and performing...but they can judge anyway, after all- it was on the news!
It also is ironic that Giraldo Riviera is out there "pouring out the pills etc:" and swaggering over Michael - gee, wait long enough and even he gets a "second shot" at reviving his "career" ... Must feel like de ja vu!
I do not think that Dr. Nick was up on the latest medical stuff back in his day, just as today there are many older doctors who are not "up on the latest" and one should get second opinions before making decisions that will affect one's life forever.
We must remember that in Elvis' day, medical things were still being treated like cure all for everything- and little testing had been done on most of the new and wonderful drugs. It is even more that way today- every day drugs are recalled because people are being injured by taking them, they don't have to do a long series of testing etc: they just have to say it works and then wait to see how people handle it. 19 once touted as being super drugs have been recalled in the past 5 years...it is a matter of time before some of those "hot item things" of today will fall into that recall pot too. It's really crazy when the profit a drug manufacturer can haul in is more important than human life. There is no way I will get a Swine Flu vaccine- they have not been tested enough and it is a rush job because it will make a huge profit for the company making it. Swine Flu is not a new flu- it is just like all the other flu's- some people will die with our without the vaccine and some will not even get a little case of flu and never the real flu. I have never had a flu shot and neither has anyone in our family and most of our friends have not either- and none of us have had more than a regular case of flu that was over and done in a few days. Heck, my tendency to get the "cowboy flu" which is a bacterial one from being around the dust and dander of animals like cows or horses. That is worse than any flu and can hang around for weeks. There is no shot for it- it's just one of those "hazards" farmers deal with...and have for years. Not enough money to be made since not that many people come down with it- that is what my doctor told me a few years ago.
Greed... the love of money... etc:
Take care and keep washing those hands- it is the best defense! If someone is coughing, stay away from them! I don't walk down grocery isles if someone is coughing in it- I'll wait and let the air "clear out" and then go get what I need.
love,
wjh

I thought you would like to see this Wanda, and I had a feeling with all this going on about Micheal's Doctor that Dr. Nick would be Brought up again. I heard this morning on Good Morning America about the Swine Flu Vaccine, I remember and I know you and a few others here when this same Flu first came out in the 70s. I never got it then and I never took the vaccine for it then either, I never knew of anyone I knew even get this Flu. I'm like you about it is all Money Talking, and that it wasn't that a serious Flu back in the 70s and it Ain't Now! Like you said you just have to keep your Hands Washed, and stay away from people that might have a Fever. The one Reason I'm Glad to see that Dr. Nick did make it Plainly known that Elvis' Medicine's were Regulated, and that Elvis never abused Prescriptions like he as been to Long Accused of. Even the Upper Elvis took was given to him by the Army, and if anyone is on Uppers or Speed long enough they well get Hooked and that also goes for Sleeping Pills.

It is possible that both Michael and Elvis knew that their lives would not be long and that while alive they would do all they could to help others.
I believe Elvis was taken advantage of by so many people once he became "Elvis Presley" that one would need a thick binder to write all who took from Elvis but were not there for him in return.
I do not know about Michael Jackson but I do not believe he molested children. I think his emotional abilities were stunted at about age 12 or so after his father beat him nearly every sing day of his life and so having sleepovers would not seem strange to a man who was, at best, 12 in an emotional sense.
I believe the true comparison between Elvis and Michael would be the generosity of their hearts caused so many to hurt them in countless ways and that both used their homes as a safe haven.
73smile

I never had the opportunity to meet Elvis but I believe that he would have gone on paying for everyone for as long as he could. He did and for some his estate is earning enough money to continue payments.
I also would want to believe that Elvis would have probably called Michael and asked him about the "charges" rather then shun him as so many did. Elvis was like that and I know he at peace with the deeds he presented and took care of while here on earth and I hope Michael is, too.

Thanks Barb/FairyTale/Rose-Lyn for posting Dr. Nick's thoughts. Doesn't seem to me that he comments much on his time with Elvis, as I rarely come across interviews with him, so it is nice to get his take.
I also do not plan to get the swine flue shot. There has not been time enough to test it. I only got a flu shot once in my life and within a few weeks of taking it, I got the flu anyway.
I worry too that with the number of vaccines children have to take nowadays, which has greatly increased since I was a kid, if that isn't the reason why so many kids nowadays have autism. I mean in the mid 90's, 1 in 10,000 kids (in the US) got autism. Not its 1 in 125. What a huge jump!! So from the mid 90's to now, there has been a HUGE increase in that disorder, so clearly something has gone terribly awry in the last 15 years.

To Blue Moon and to Sarena, I have taken the Flu Shot's but Thank God I have never gotten the Flu from them. What get's me about this Swine Flu, I remember back in the 70s this same Flu came out and they had the Vaccinations for this Flu back then. I have also always thought that the Swine Flu had been Beaten', so I'm wondering if this is the same Flu they had back then. Then why is it back again?

I would like to know to how your Son is to Sarena?