The Truth About Elvis and Michael

I wrote about Michael Jackson fans last week. What I said was that Elvis Presley fans could relate to what the Jackson fans are going through with the death of their hero. Well, there is another thing that Michael Jackson fans will or probably already have in common with Elvis fans – the conspiracy theories about Jackson. I have already read claims that Jackson’s body was not in that golden casket. Can the rumor be far behind that Jackson isn’t dead? Elvis fans are very familiar with that theory. The first time I heard the story that Elvis had not really had died but faked his own death was August 17, 1977. I was on Elvis Presley Boulevard across the street from Graceland, spending the night sleeping in the parking lot of a shopping center. Some fans can’t accept the truth. Of course from time to time, stories would pop up about Elvis sightings; like in a Burger King. Remember how Grandpa Huxtable on The Cosby Show talked several times about Elvis being seen at a mall in New Jersey? If it hasn’t already this is going to happen to Michael Jackson fans. It is just amazing to me how far people will take these theories.


A couple of years ago I read a news report about a movie being released in August, 2007. The name of the movie was The Truth About Elvis. The film maker claims that this documentary was devoted to finding out if Elvis is dead or alive. People in the movie trailer swore Elvis was alive and even some claimed to have seen Elvis. A website was mentioned. Curious, I went to check out this website.


Okay, I know there are strange people in the world. I think this website is weird center. Not only was a movie coming out but the same guy was releasing a book. This book was to be composed of fan letters to Elvis. The film maker wanted all handwritten, present tense letters. In other words, the people writing the letters had to believe they were writing to a live person. People were sending them in. Wake up and smell the coffee. You wrote a book for this guy. He will publish it and get paid. You'll get nothing; expect maybe, to look foolish. Looking foolish is a very easy thing to do on this website.


Like all good fan sites, The Truth About Elvis had a message board. Not only were fans posting but so was someone claiming to be Elvis. He was nice enough to explain that he went into the witness protection program in 1977. The witness protection program didn't work for the presumed Elvis, so he dropped out. Over the years this person claims he made a few recordings. BMG might be interested in that piece of news. Elvis was under contract to their RCA division in 1977. He may still owe them a few recordings. If a record company isn’t going after this guy then he isn’t Elvis. Record executives would get what is owed them, as well as the profit to be made on releasing newly recorded Elvis material. People were responding to this person as if he really was Elvis. Now I'm not a genius but I do wonder if this poster claiming to be Elvis could be the result of the reward offered on the website for information that proves Elvis is not dead or a publicity stunt to promote the movie and book?


I loved Elvis. My husband said just the other day, he still misses Elvis. I do too, but I don't miss him enough to be convinced he didn't die on August 16, 1977. This guy, with his film and book, will make what money he can. In order to make that money, he'll need to spread the word about his project. The film was supposed to be released during Elvis Week in August, 2007. Since I never heard any more about the movie I went back to check on how The Truth About Elvis did at the book office. What I learned was the film has not yet been released. If you are curious, Google The Truth About Elvis. Now look, see what I've done. I've given the film publicity. Of course that may not matter since the film has never made it into release. It was kind of scary to read the fan board. Do all these people really believe they were writing to Elvis? Things that make you go mmm.


Watch out, Michael Jackson fans. This will happen to you. It is not only Elvis -- there are people who believe JFK was not assassinated in November, 1963. I always tell people that I know Elvis is dead because I don’t go to people’s funeral unless they have died. Who I really feel bad for is the people who truly cannot accept that someone has passed on. With Michael Jackson’s death being so new, it is understandable that fans may be dealing with accepting it as fact. After so many years, it would seem that people would accept that Elvis is gone. Maybe some never will. That still doesn’t give someone the right to make money off the pain and suffering of others. That will keep happening as long as there are people around to take advantage of others. Just watch out for these vultures.

Precious Memories

Once upon a time, back in the 1970s, everyone didn’t have digital cameras, small cam corders, or even cell phones, never mind ones with cameras. Unlike now, filming an event any time or any place was not available to everyone. Film was used in every type of camera. Home movie cameras using 8 mm film were the only thing available to the general public. Zoom lenses for these cameras were not even something most people thought about. Usually home movies were taken of family events. Some Elvis fans used their home movie camera to record a different, very important event in their lives – Elvis’ concerts. Quite a lot of these films are out floating among fans. I received a very special one recently.


March 17, 1976 is a day that holds very precious memories for me. On that day I received my first scarf and kiss from Elvis Presley. In was in Johnson City, Tennessee. Elvis played Freedom Hall behind the high school for three nights that spring. I was present for all of the concerts. My scarf and kiss happened on the first night. Also that night I gave Elvis a pair of sunglasses. He wore these glasses on stage and joked about them. For years I had great photos of Elvis wearing the sunglasses while he was talking to me. Quite a few wonderful photographers were in the audience that night. Sadly I only have one not so very good picture of Elvis kissing me. A policeman’s hat blocks Elvis’ and my faces. All that can be seen is Elvis leaning down and the back of my shirt.


A few weeks ago, after thirty- three years, I got to see the kiss and the scarf. Like I said at the beginning, the 1970s were like the dark ages in terms of filming a concert by a fan. Compared to the technology of today the 8 mm film that is on the DVD I received appears primitive. The most important thing to me is that the film exists! As a participant, I was there when the event took place, of course, but I could only re-live it in my mind. Now for the first time, I can see the actual event. I saw the scarf and kiss captured on film as it happened. The kind Elvis fan who sent my husband the DVD was actually trying to get us footage of Elvis with the sunglasses. He no idea of the hidden treasures the DVD held.


As for the sunglasses, there are very brief shots of Elvis taking the glasses from me and passing them to Charlie Hodge. (I was told by one of the bodyguards that Elvis kept the sunglasses and played with them in his hotel room.) The CD of the concert that came with the DVD contained another gem- Elvis talking to me! I had handed him the sunglasses over the heads of women standing at the stage while Elvis gave out scarves. After everyone was seated, Elvis looked at right at me. He asked, “did you give me these glasses?” Elvis put the glasses on and kept on talking about how they made him look like Elton John or Isaac Hayes. (A few days later I received a personal thank you written by Elvis for the glasses.)


These are wonderful memories that are as fresh for me now as they were that March night over thirty years ago. To be able to see and hear the events anytime I want is an amazing gift; a gift that comes from someone who only wanted to help a fellow fan. Only a fan could understand how much this means to have these DVDs and CD. Every time I watch or listen, Elvis is alive for a few moments. Sirius radio slogan for its Elvis channel is “we never forgot.” This is the way it is for all Elvis fans who saw Elvis perform live. The atmosphere and excitement of the performances were never captured the way it really was for the audience. Like most fans, I am thankful for what remains and all our memories.