Jerrry Lee Lewis at the Palomino

Message: [Sonny Landreth] Sonny Landreth Second European Tour NOVEMBER 2009 – Last.fm

Sonny Landreth - 2 vids "The Promise Land" and "Wind in Denver"



-Sonny Landreth

Message: [Sonny Landreth] Sonny Landreth Second European Tour NOVEMBER 2009 – Last.fm

Happy Birthday Bruce Springsteen - Monitor Mix Blog : NPR glad SLEATER KENNY'S FEELIN' THE BOSS BDAY, CUZ I COULDN'T WORK UP TO IT

Happy Birthday Bruce Springsteen

I first heard Bruce Springsteen when my mom got the Born in the USA LP for Christmas. It was 1984. I loved the cover artwork: blue jeans, an American flag and a baseball cap. It was simple and iconic and sort of sexy. As a family, we listened to the album constantly, the whole way through (the way you did with LPs). We sang along and I studied the lyric sheet. I remember thinking: This is grand. This is American music.

My dad also owned Darkness on the Edge of Town, an album which wasn't as accessible to me as a child, but which would later become my favorite Springsteen album. I can't listen to Darkness without marveling at how it seems born anew with each year. The songs are prescient and timeless, like they're racing along next to us, always on par with the here and now.

Bruce Springsteen turns 60 today! And because I'm so relieved to be celebrating someone's life, as opposed to mourning a death, here are some videos of The Boss.

Please share your own thoughts about Bruce Springsteen.

Carrie Brownstein

Happy Birthday Bruce Springsteen - Monitor Mix Blog : NPR

THIS IS WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT MY BLOG: YOU CAN READ ABOUT ELVIS' HAIRDRESSER AND THE Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug

Date: 9/21/2009
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press
Telephone: 240-276-2130

Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued Concerning Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is alerting medical professionals, substance abuse treatment centers and other public health authorities about the risk that substantial levels of cocaine may be adulterated with levamisole – a veterinary anti-parasitic drug. There have been approximately 20 confirmed or probable cases of agranulocytosis (a serious, sometimes fatal blood disorder), including two deaths, associated with cocaine adulterated with levamisole. The number of reported cases is expected to increase as information about cocaine adulterated with levamisole is disseminated. “SAMHSA and other public health authorities are working together to inform everyone of this serious potential public health risk and what measures are being taken to address it,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., MPH. Levamisole is used in veterinary medicine and is currently approved for use in cattle, sheep and swine as an anti-parasitic agent. Although it was once used in human medicine in the past for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer, it is no longer an approved drug for human use. Ingesting cocaine mixed with levamisole can seriously reduce a person's white blood cells, suppressing immune function and the body's ability to fight off even minor infections. People who snort, smoke, or inject crack or powder cocaine contaminated by levamisole can experience overwhelming, rapidly-developing, life threatening infections. Other serious side effects can also occur. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration and State testing laboratories, the percentage of cocaine specimens containing levamisole has increased steadily since 2002, with levamisole now found in over 70 percent of the illicit cocaine analyzed in July. In addition, a recent analysis in Seattle, Washington found that almost 80 percent of the individuals who test positive for cocaine also test positive for levamisole. According to the SAMHSA alert substance abuse treatment providers, clinicians, outreach workers, and individuals who abuse cocaine need to be aware of the following: A dangerous substance, levamisole, is showing up with increasing frequency in illicit cocaine powder and crack cocaine. Levamisole can severely reduce the number of white blood cells, a problem called agranulocytosis. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ILLNESS THAT NEEDS TO BE TREATED AT A HOSPITAL. If you use cocaine, watch out for: * high fever, chills, or weakness * swollen glands * painful sores (mouth, anal) * any infection that won’t go away or gets worse very fast, including sore throat or mouth sores -skin infections, abscesses -thrush (white coating of the mouth, tongue, or throat) -pneumonia (fever, cough, shortness of breath).” SAMHSA is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and other federal and international organizations, as well as state agencies to monitor the levamisole issue. CDC will be publishing a case report analysis in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and will be working with state health departments to systematically collect information on cocaine-associated agranulocytosis cases. Information from this effort will be used to guide treatment and prevention initiatives to address this public health concern. Individuals are encouraged to report suspected and confirmed cases of agranulocytosis that are associated with cocaine abuse to their respective state health departments. Cases can also be reported to local Poison Control Centers (1-800-222-1222), these centers may also provide assistance in clinical management and additional reporting. For further medical/technical information, contact Nicholas Reuter, SAMHSA (Nicholas.reuter@samhsa.hhs.gov).

Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued Concerning Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug

Larry Geller - Larry Geller and Elvis

Once hooked, Elvis began building a huge library of books, and calling Larry his "guru" and soon bought him a white Cadillac. Colonel Parker always suspicious of any influences other than his over his prot�g� made sure that someone else was present whenever Larry cut Elvis’ hair. Parker finally had Geller sacked, all Elvis collection of books were taken out and burned.

YOU HAVE WRITTEN 3 BOOKS ABOUT ELVIS, WHY WAS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO HAVE YOUR TIME WITH ELVIS PUBLISHED?

It was only one month after Elvis died that Ed Parker called me at home in Los Angeles urging me to write a book with him. I declined. A couple of months later two members of the group (one a family member) phoned to ask me to join them in putting a book together. In both calls the subject of religion, spirituality, Elvis' books and his inner search, years of conversations and experiences were brought up, and how my participation would be invaluable. For several sensitive and personal reasons I innately felt that I would have to decline their offer. In fact, I was in the process of writing a book on health and hair care, which Elvis endorsed, but I scrapped even that project after his death. 

During those first few months I was absolutely numb, frozen in time, attempting to heal and recover from the overwhelming shock of Elvis' death, then preparing his hair at the mortuary and finally...his funeral. Very, very slowly I struggled to breathe deeper, hoping somehow I would eventually thaw out from my psychological stupor. 

Actually, the deep residue and emotional scar tissue remain to this day right below the top layer of my personality. This is something that never leaves. As I eventually gained some semblance of balance, I knew that somehow, some way I had to tell Elvis' story from what I knew to be true. And what gave me the motivation, the courage and the green light was Elvis himself. There was no doubt, and no turning back, not after all that Elvis went through, not after all that he meant to his fans, the world - and the solemn promise I had made to him only months before his passing.

Little did I suspect that afternoon in April of 1977, in Elvis' suite at the Hilton Hotel in Detroit while we were on tour, where our conversation would eventually lead. Briefly and to the point, while we were talking in his bedroom, Elvis became very serious, he spoke of his nagging health problems: his spastic colon, glaucoma, hypertension, insomnia, sore throats and his fluid retention and bloated condition. He was fully cognitant of all the pills and prescription drugs he was taking, and his unhealthy eating habits. He actually said that it was a miracle he was still in one piece. Elvis was very concerned how the fans might be judging his appearance and he expressed in no uncertain terms his desire and definite plans to change his lifestyle and career. Then Elvis put his hands on my shoulders, looked squarely in my eyes, and with his typical sense of drama declared that we had a 'special' task together. He asked for my help, and said he wouldn't ask any one else. He said he needed to know if I was behind him in this, that if I didn't help him tell of his spiritual quest, his books, the vision he had in the Arizona desert, his total belief in God, his struggle to remain healthy, even his medications - then his real story and the truth of his life would never be known.

Elvis spoke of writing a book; he wanted to call it Through My Eyes, hoping to offset and balance what he knew others were planning at that time. Elvis felt that his image was what most people related to, and he really desired that his fans and the general public learn more about his inner life, his values and what he was aspiring toward. 

After further discussion I promised him I would help him write his book, and "tell the world the truth." We shook hands and hugged to seal our mutual vow. Looking back, I really feel that even if Elvis hadn't asked me, I probably would have written a book anyway. I have a lot to say and I'm very passionate about it. Not knowing where to turn, I remembered the author Jess Stearn, who specialized in writing books about spiritual matters, whose reputation was exemplarily, and who lived close by in Malibu. After we were introduced and he heard what I had to say, he agreed to write a book. I became his chief source of information; I disclosed to him reams of my writings, and we engaged in hundreds of hours of conversation.

I brought Charlie Hodge and a few other people who had been close to Elvis to meet Jess. Naturally, they all had a lot to say and also contributed their own feelings and personal anecdotes. Jess Stearns' book The Truth About Elvis came out in 1980 (the cover saying "with Larry Geller"), and the same book was republished by another company in 1982 under the title, Elvis - His Spiritual Journey. This time only Jess' name appeared on the cover of the book. In Jess' books, he brought out and conveyed information that's only hinted at in other books, basically because no one else had the information I gave him. 

This was information integral to Elvis' story, without which, as Elvis himself recognized, a gaping hole would exist; structurally the most important elements of his life would be missed. Yet despite all this, in my heart I knew I would have to write my own book to fulfill my pledge. There was so much more to be said and conveyed. Coupled with the onslaught of the Goldman book and others, and the plethora of material that wasn't even touched upon in any of them, a book based on my personal journal, If I Can Dream, came to life, a book that I wrote and over which I had a considerable amount of control. In 1998, Jess asked me to help him write an updated version of his book, with new stories and fresh insights. It was published as Elvis' Search to God.

ELVIS KEPT CONSOLE WITH VERY FEW PEOPLE WHY DO YOU THINK HE OPENED UP TO YOU? In my very first meeting with Elvis, at his Bel Air home on Perugia Way, in April of 1964 where I came at his request to style his hair, we engaged in a deep conversation concerning religion, spiritual growth, Elvis' early life, his mother and father, his twin brother, the church he attended in Tupelo and other very intimate subjects. This was surprising and significant, considering we had just met - and he was Elvis Presley, and I a stranger who had been referred to him for professional reasons. Well, during that conversation something clicked between us. I was fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time, and not only could I style hair, which Elvis required, I was also interested in and had studied subjects that were close to Elvis' heart, subjects that related to his inner desire to learn and grow spiritually. He was more than eager to expand his horizon, and a combination of forces came together that afternoon that eventually changed both our lives. For reasons that are beyond me, I was privileged and honored to be associated with him from that time forward in a very meaningful way.

DO THINK THAT ANYONE BUT HIS BELOVED MOTHER EVER REALLY GOT TO KNOW ELVIS BEHIND THE IMAGE? From my point of view, I've read and heard so many distorted stories, and gross judgements concerning the people Elvis surrounded himself with. Naturally in any group, especially people who are connected with a person of power and wealth, there are people who are shallow, who are yes men, and in plain terms users. When you consider we're talking about Elvis Presley, the greatest star who ever lived, of course that existed to some degree around him. And I'm particularly critical of a few people. On the other hand, Elvis did have some genuine friends, a few who knew him beyond the image, who related to him as a human being, not just "Elvis." They would have given their lives for him. Of course, we all perceive and relate to one another according to our capacity and our own individual evolution as human beings. What I'm saying here is that some were closer than others, and some knew and understood him on a deeper level than others.

WAS ELVIS’ QUEST TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE WAS “CHOSEN” EVER REALISED? Elvis was such an intelligent person, light years beyond his world-wide persona. He had an inquisitive mind, always probing, always digging, attempting to understand his place in the universe, and above all, his unique role and position in this world, and just exactly how "Elvis Presley" fit into the scheme of things. For years he struggled with this dilemma. He was so sincere, always aiming to do his best. He would be the first to admit that he was flawed, had weaknesses, and fell many, many times, and in ways that most people couldn't conceive of. But to me, what truly distinguishes a winner, a person of true character, is that he picks himself up, and fights against his basest nature, striving to do good.

Elvis did exactly that. He finally realized why he was chosen. It seems so simple, yet sometimes it's what is staring us in the face is what eludes us. Elvis attributed his talent and success to pure blessings from God. For quite some time he didn't know how or what direction and form that should take. He recognized as a three year old sitting on his mom's lap in church, that he wanted to sing. He would want to jump off her lap, run down the aisle and join the choir and sing his heart out. Elvis said "Singing and entertaining people, making them happy and bringing some joy into their lives is what I'm all about."

He knew that was his mission in life, his ultimate destiny. At one time he thought maybe he should preach or teach, only in his heart of hearts, he knew who he was. During the last years of his life he realized this, and was also planning on expanding his career to acting in real dramatic roles, and producing movies that had real content and would inspire people. He also was moving consciously into charity work and we spoke of this often, especially toward the very end. 

DURING THE SEARCH OF HIS SPIRITUAL SELF, WHY DID ELVIS NOT CONFRONT ADDICTION TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS? I always speak of Elvis in glowing terms, he was such a fantastic person and always strove to help others. His talent and what he left us made a mark unlike any other. Yes of course he had faults, he was human. His vulnerability and his humanness only added to his charm and appeal. I become critical when it comes to Elvis' blind spot: his body; what he put in it. 

Oh, if only he had taken care of himself as well as he took care of others. If he did he would probably be here with us today. He ate the unhealthiest food, and broke all the nutritional laws. He was for many years in denial of his pill addiction that only grew worse until his body bore the full brunt, as he really began to suffer, and eventually pay the ultimate price. It wasn't as if Elvis was in the dark, and didn't know the facts. He was aware, he read a variety of nutritional books I brought him over the years, from many of the leading health authorities. We had many discussions about diet and health.

He had a doctor's manual listing all the drugs and their horrible side effects, and he read it. But there were many forces at work, pulling him down. First and foremost was his dependency, and the overwhelming fact of being Elvis - superman - and his public image. You have to remember these were the days before celebrities went public concerning their substance abuse. These were the days before the Betty Ford Clinic, and there weren't many places to go for help, let alone the aspect of disgrace and embarrassment. 

What made the situation even worse in my opinion were his doctors, and the lack of actual, genuine care. Even his manager looked on and did absolutely nothing. I was there and witnessed abject neglect, enabling, and a general feeling that nothing serious was taking place and all would be just fine. He was Elvis wasn't he? Elvis came to some nitty gritty realizations the last six months of his life. He began to wake up from a deep sleep concerning these issues, and many more. 

A new vision for his life was emerging, his attitude was showing signs of renewal. He spoke with me about changing his life outside and in. From new management, to paring down considerably our group, stop touring for a year, go to Hawaii and rest, get off all medications, eat a balanced, proper diet, exercise and meditate, to coming back and find some real dramatic roles and re-enter movies. Two opposite realities were paralleling one another, life and death. Elvis' health was rapidly declining, yet his outlook was positive, being fed excellent ideas to alter and reshape his life and career. 

On top of the world, perched on Mount Everest looking down, Elvis surveyed the landscape below; he knew the hard and bitter truth - that his very life was at stake. From ongoing turmoil with young Ginger Alden, worries about a forthcoming book, physical problems gnawing and draining his strengths, to a dozen other difficulties and dilemmas that constantly reared its perplexing and ugly head, Elvis was determined to go forward no matter the cost and no matter where it led him.

He was scared, and knew without a shadow of a doubt what had to be done. He said several times that sometime in September of 1977 he was going to finally get rid of Colonel Parker, and initiate some other changes. He told his father and Charlie Hodge the same. I don't know what he told Billy Smith, but he most likely mentioned some of this to him, as well as possibly going public in a concert in Memphis concerning his health and all those damn pills. To me the real tragedy of the story is that Elvis waited. He was facing horrific situations that he was planning on dealing with - head on. He was hesitant, nervous and facing the unknown, but if only he had acted instead of waiting...who knows? 

 UNCOVERING THE SECRETS OF MYSTICS DID ELVIS BELIEVE HIMSELF A GURU TO HIS GENERATION? Elvis always remained Elvis. He always stayed true to his past, his roots, and never attempted to be something he wasn't. He deeply felt he had a lot to offer the world, but was always extremely careful never to preach, or influence the public with his own personal philosophy and religious outlook. He did consider himself blessed, and for a while he wasn't sure just where destiny would lead him. He definitely felt that God had given him the great gift of his voice to use as his instrument for reaching out and inspiring people.

In one way, Elvis was like a little boy, wanting to please everyone and be all things to all people.Towards the very end of his life, he was trying to think of ways - producing inspirational movies, getting more deeply involved with charities, etc. - to expand and to grow in his impact on the world. Before each show and each night, Elvis would pray, asking God to guide his life, as he was always concerned that his own ego not get in the way. At least, that's how he saw it in his humility.

WAS ELVIS VAIN ABOUT HIS APPEARANCE WHEN NOT IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE? Elvis was very aware of his appearance, and he knew he had the face of King David. I've been around some of the top stars in Hollywood as a hair stylist, and I can tell you this for sure: Elvis wasn't nearly as vain and self-centered as most of them. Of course he knew he was admired by men and desired by women not only for his talent but for his extraordinary good looks, so it would have been hard for him not to think of it. Elvis did let his image down, so to speak, when it was just the guys - but even then Elvis was never "funky" in his appearance. TLC, Larry Geller.

Larry Geller - Larry Geller and Elvis

Bad Bob / Vapors Owner, Dr. Ed Franklin is Dead

A Tribute to Dr. Ed Franklin

Ed, Jackie and Curt 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 background  Click here to view and sign Dr. Franklin's Remembrance Book at the Commercial Appeal.

Elvis Presley Cyber Club Newsletter 41

Search Off the Record takes you behind the scenes of Google Search and its inner workings!

In each episode, the folks from the Search Relations team will give you background info on the decision-making behind launches, feature prioritization in Search Console, and the projects Google Search teams are working on.

They will share fun stories from the many conferences they attend as well as from their day-to-day working life at Google.

They will also dive into the currently trending conversations in the SEO community at large. Have a listen!

Elvis Larry Geller and Uri Geller - Get it Straight

You’ll have to excuse me if I dash away in the middle of this column.

I’m tapping away at my laptop in my dressing room, in a gap during the dress rehearsals. It’s frantic, a maelstrom of make-up artists, script editors, technical advisers, production assistants and messengers... and that’s just the people in my room.

Step into the corridor outside, and it’s like walking into the middle of a military operation, with people firing orders instead of guns. I find it exhilarating. This must be how Mick Jagger foreclosure a Stones concert.

The dress rehearsal for a live television show on a national American network is no different from the actual broadcast. There’s a real audience, and the performers are wracked with nerves. So far, the performances have been smooth with no glitches... I just hope we’re not saving up the disasters for the big night itself.

The potential for something to go wrong is major, because some of the acts on Phenomenon are literally mind-blowing. One guy hands a nail-gun to a guest star, the stunning actress and presenter Carmen Electra. She loads it with six lethal lumps of needle-sharp steel, before the performer raises it to his head and pulls the trigger.

If that doesn’t go exactly to plan, we won’t have to ask the viewers to vote a contender off the show this week. We have paramedics and ambulances waiting outside the studio, in case of an accident.

My co-presenter Criss Angel and I oversee the proceedings from a pair of magnificent thrones. We’re an interesting match: Criss is deeply sceptical about the paranormal, and any performer who claims to be using unexplained powers is going to get a battering from him.

I’ve found there are two kinds of professional magician — the ones who believe their abilities sometimes blur into the supernatural, and the ones who scoff at any claims of paranormal power.

Houdini was in the first category: he felt that sometimes his mind performed real magic, beyond mere trickery.

Criss Angel is in the other category — he can conjure miracles, and he doesn’t believe that anything is truly beyond explanation.

I’ve long since learned that people make up their own minds, whatever the evidence — I lived through that controversy in the Seventies and I have no wish to revive it. With Phenomenon, my aim is to generate entertainment that mystifies, thrills and bewilders the audience.

I was deeply touched when one of the ten contestants, Jerry, approached me before the dress rehearsal to confide, “We feel like we’re your children, Uri. You inspired us.”

My first experience of major-league US television was humiliating, when my abilities failed me on the Johnny Carson show. To be back in Los Angeles, at the helm of a series as huge as Phenomenon, and to know that I’ve inspired all these extraordinary young performers, is humbling in a completely different way — it brings a lump to my throat.

We’re running on adrenaline now, after a bout of publicity which exceeds anything I have ever experienced. The difference between US media frenzy now and 35 years ago is the internet: I know that anything I tell a radio interviewer will be podcast around the planet within hours.

I’ve done dozens of radio shows since flying back to LA from Japan, and  the weird thing is knowing that my listeners are just as likely to be in Tokyo as they are in California.

Add to that the impact of the astonishing website devised by NBC for the show and it’s clear that this is a very different business to the one that first made me famous. I still love the old-fashioned media, though, and it was a buzz to be interviewed for People magazine.

……………

 

There’s nothing like the intimate attentions of a live camera feed and an audience numbering tens of millions to make you aware of your appearance. Before this dress rehearsal, I knew I had to get my hair trimmed, but there was a problem: I haven’t been home for a week or two, and I don’t have time to fly to London for my usual wash-and-cut.

But who could I trust in Los Angeles to get it right? There was only one man, I realised — my namesake and The King’s personal hairdresser, Larry Geller.

He’s retired these days, though his book “Leaves of Elvis’ Garden” is something of a bestseller. “For you,” Larry assured me, “I’m happy to come out of retirement!”

Larry has a fund of stories like no other to entertain his clients. “You know, when Elvis was lying in his coffin,” he told me as the scissors snicked, “his wife Priscilla realised she could  see one grey hair. Just one, above his temple.

“She was horrified at the thought of letting him go to his grave with a grey hair, and she summoned me — but of course I wasn’t expecting to be working on a dead man and I didn’t have my colouring tools.

“So we improvised. I dashed out, found a girl with a make-up bag and borrowed her mascara. And that’s what I used to touch up the King’s coiffure for the very last time.

“Before they closed the coffin lid, I was able to brush my hand against Elvis’s face, to say goodbye. That meant a lot to me.”

It was a moving story. I won’t repeat it on the TV set, though. The competition between all ten contestants on Phenomenon is so intense, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone gets the idea to resurrect the King...

Enjoyed this article?

Uri Geller's Articles

Elvis Presley was Jewish

interesting facts about the life and death of Elvis Presley - by Sid Shaw

Elvis Presley was Jewish

Elvis Presley had confided to his close friend and spiritual advisor, Larry Geller, that he was Jewish. His great grandmother Martha Tacket was Jewish and Jewish law follows the mother's geneaology which makes Elvis Jewish. His mother Gladys did not disclose the fact to Vernon Presley as the South was very anti-semitic in those days. However, she wanted Elvis to go to a school that had mainly Jewish children, wanting him to mix with Jews and hopefully get a better education as she knew Jews were very concerned about education for their children. Many of Elvis' school friends were Jewish and remained friends when he became famous, such as George Klein, Marty Lacker and Alan Fortas.

Elvis put a 'Star of David' on his mother's grave. When Elvis and Glady's bodies were removed from their original place of burial at Forest Hills Cemeteries in Memphis to Graceland Vernon removed the Star of David from Glady's grave. It was believed Elvis' body would be kidnapped from his original resting place so he and his mother's graves were moved secretly one night. Could it have been a commercial decision so they could charge fans to visit Graceland and view Elvis' grave I wonder?

Elvis often wore a "Chai" on his neck, the Jewish symbol for "Life" and when asked why he wore a Chai and a Cross he answered, "I do not want to miss getting into heaven on a technicality". Elaine Dundy uncovered Elvis' Jewish lineage in her research for her book, "Elvis and Gladys". Elvis owned several watches with the Star of David as well as items of jewellery.

Larry Geller, Elvis' spiritual advisor

Elvis was a very frustrated man in the 1960's until he met Larry Geller. He was tied into boring film contracts until 1968, was not performing live on stage for his fans and he became angry and disillusioned with his life. Larry was initially his Tour hairdresser but he also became his spiritual advisor. It was April 1964 when Elvis met Larry and Elvis' life would never be the same again. Larry introduced him to spiritual matters that Elvis thought deeply about but could never discuss with anyone. Elvis was surrounded by some hangers' on and yes men who would just wanted to party. Elvis wanted so much more from life and he became a consummate reader on spiritual matters, cosmology, faith healing, telepathy, religions, witchcraft, aliens, yoga, meditation, the supernatural. He got the guys to carry three trunks of books with him whenever he went on tour, mostly books recommended by Larry. When Elvis died Larry told me Vernon destroyed all the books.

Larry said Elvis was a 'healer' and he had seen Elvis heal a man having a heart attack. Elvis healed his paternal grandmother Minnie Mae and his friend Jerry Schilling who had a nasty motorcycle accident. You must read Larry's excellent book, "If I Can Dream". Larry was asked by Vernon to cut Elvis' hair for the funeral. He noticed Elvis' hair had turned white at the roots (just like his dad's) so Larry borrowed his partner's black eyebrow pencil to blacken Elvis' roots.

Larry is not only your namesake but looks like your older brother (photo attached). He said he is not related to you but you have so much in common, not only in looks but also in spiritual beliefs.

Larry Geller, Elvisly Yours Convention January 1984, London

Birth and Death of Elvis

Vernon Presley had recounted to Elvis how he saw a flash of blue light envelope the Tupelo Shack when Elvis was born. Sadly Elvis' twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn. Knowing he had a twin brother who died at birth affected Elvis' life and had a profound effect on Gladys who was especially protective to Elvis and they formed an inseperable bond. At his mother's death Elvis could not cope and was inconsolable. He had to be pulled away from the coffin for Gladys to be buried. Elvis always believed his sudden fame led to his mother's premature death.

Elvis did not drink because of what it did to his mother, except on one occasion. Someone had some peach brandy on tour and Elvis tried a taste. He liked the flavour so much he drank the bottle straight down. About an hour later Elvis' friend Charlie Hodge heard a scratching at the bottom of his hotel room door. He opened the door to find Elvis on all fours saying, "I'm dying...I'm dying. Elvis never drank again.

On Elvis' grave Vernon inscribed, "He was a gift from God". The moment Elvis died Las Vegas was hit by a tremendous thunderstorm after months without rain as if the heavens were crying. There was no wind in Memphis, yet as the Cadillac carrying Elvis' last girlfriend Ginger Alden was following the Elvis' hearse a large branch fell heavily on the car from one of the Graceland trees. Ginger had found Elvis' body in the bathroom alongside a book on the "Turin Shroud" given to him by Larry Geller. By the time the paramedics had been called to Graceland 'riga mortis' had set in Elvis' body. Elvis had been dead for hours and all sorts of conspiracy theories have been raised. It is interesting to note that hardly any jewellery exists in the Graceland archives yet Elvis was addicted to buying fine jewellery, also very few family photographs remained in the house.

The day Elvis died, August 16th 1977, his bio-rhythms were at their lowest level physically, emotionally and intellectually. Some astrologists had predicted the date of death of Elvis years before that fateful day in 1977. If you add together the day, the month and the year Elvis died it comes to 2001. Elvis always started his concerts in the 1970's with the music from the film "2001" ('Also Sprach Zarushtra'). The music from 2001 was Elvis' theme music:

The Power of Elvis' Stage Presence

Elvis used very clever pyschology to capture his audience even before he appeared on stage. The lights were turned down for five minutes or more prior to his arrival. Imagine an audience of 80,000 at the Houston Astrodome? Five minutes is an awful long time to wait after you expected Elvis to appear immediately. You may have waited all your life to see Elvis and the lights go out... immediately your heart starts beating faster and faster waiting for that magic moment and the entrance of the King. One minute, two minutes...the anticipation of 80,000 people is building and you could feel the tension until the first bars of that inspirational music from 2001 and there is the King. Elvis had all 80,000 people in the palm of his hands...and he hadn't sang a word.

Connections between Elvis and Uri Geller

Uri Geller's recent purchase of the house Elvis Presley bought on Audubon Drive, Memphis for his parents when he first became famous is the latest connection between the two superstars. In the July 28th 1974 edition of the National Tatler magazine while Uri Geller was the cover story captioned with, "My powers will bring an astronaut's camera back from the moon" on p.21 there was a photo of Elvis taken with Sinatra and Cosby. Just over two years later Elvis was the cover story for the famous "National Enquirer" on September 6th 1977. The cover featured Elvis Presley lying in his coffin. It was the last photo ever taken of Elvis and the cover was headlined "The Untold Story". While on P.41 there was a story telling how Uri Geller's parents had seen their son's powers from the age of four when he started to bend spoons. That issue of the National Enquirer was their highest selling edition and apparently the greatest sale of any paper in history. The Presley family had requested no photographs were to be taken of Elvis in his coffin but it has been alleged and never proven that a cousin of Elvis was paid $20,000.00 for the photo by the National Enquirer. He took the photo with a secret camera.

Both Elvis Presley and Uri Geller are unique in history and both share a special gift of 'powers of the mind'. Elvis had so much electrical energy in his body that people felt his presence in a room before they caught sight of him. Many people who met Elvis have said they saw a halo like aura generating from his body and he was the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen. While Uri's energy and mental powers are well documented. They have both brought happiness to millions of people, a rare gift indeed.

Elvisly Yours,

Sid Shaw
www.elvisly-yours.com

Untitled Document

Dean Nichopoulos on Elvis - Meet aunt Delta - EW09

JW Brown's book!