A Tribute to Dr. Ed Franklin
Memphis and the Elvis World have just lost one of its great characters and a dear friend, Dr. Ed Franklin. Sadly, there are so few characters in Memphis, people that are larger than life, that can put the fear of God in some, yet have a wicked wit, sense of humour and heart of gold.
To me Dr Franklin was just Ed and over the years we spent many happy hours together at his great club Bad Bob's and later Bad Bob/Vapors.
The first Elvisly Yours tour to Memphis was in October 1982 and we stayed at the old Quality Inn on Brooks Road. At the back of the hotel was a nightclub called Bad Bob's.
The club stayed open until quite late and every night fans would end up at Bad Bob's and I met the club's owner, Elvis' vet Dr Ed Franklin. He was a huge man, with a big bellowing voice that at first could seem intimidating but his bark was much worse than his bite. He was very laid back and seemed to take everything in his stride. He had a great sense of humour and recounted wonderful stories about his time with Elvis as his vet.
He continued to look after Graceland's animals after Elvis died. He didn't take any BS from EPE and admired the fact that I took on EPE in the Courts in the USA and particularly in Britain where we defeated them. His clubs were very reasonably priced for food and drink and played great music, even in the afternoons when he put on tea dances for old timers and the not so old. I used to love watching "line dancing" to the great country music that was the main feature of the clubs. Over the years hundreds of Elvisly Yours Fan Club members enjoyed Ed's entertainment. Although he was known for his Elvis Tribute Contests in August his clubs were open all year around and I would see him on each visit I was in Memphis and that was usually four times a year, twice with fan club tours and then twice in later years for legal proceedings with EPE and general Elvis business. We did several charity promotions together, including one for Special Olympics and the only Concert the Russian Elvis, Rafik, performed in America was at Bad Bob's. Ed had a heart of gold and always had time to talk even on his busiest nights. He was a larger than life character whom you thought would just go on and on. Since I stopped going to Memphis and taking tours I lost contact with Ed but still his death came as a shock.
However, it brought back such fond memories of a kind and gentle man who helped Memphis rock on, year after year. I was honoured and privileged to have been his friend. My sincere sympathies go to his wife, Jackie, his children and family. Their loss is felt all over the world by the thousands of fans that Dr Ed Franklin's life touched, a true legend of the Elvis World and of Memphis.
Photographic Memories of Bad Bobs/Vapors
Russian Elvis Rafik rehearsing at Bad Bob's
Rafik performing at Bad Bob's October 1991
The first Elvisly Yours Tour to Memphis 1982 Bad Bob's behind the hotel and the fans
Rafik by Monster Truck with Vapors in backgroundClick here to view and sign Dr. Franklin's Remembrance Book at the Commercial Appeal.
Elvis Presley Cyber Club Newsletter 41
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