August 21, 1974
Chantal Dambremont from Belgium is an unconditional fan of Elvis, she gives him a gift… a gold chain 
This is her story of the meeting:
On the 20th August, I was walking around in the Hilton Hotel, when we spotted Col Parker, I walked up to him and told him, I had come from Belgium and had a gift for Elvis and asked him if a meeting was possible with Elvis. The Colonel didn’t give me time to finnish my conversation (he saw I had many difficulties with speaking English) and he answered me ‘come back here tomorrow at 9.30pm, I’ll lead you near Elvis, but only two people’ (I was with my sister).
The Colonel was very nice, I was so happy, I couldn’t beleive that! I was in a dream on the 21st Aug (this was to be the first day we saw Elvis on stage also.) at 9.30pm the Colonel told me ‘he can’t lead me himself because he has a cold (the flu) and it will be Jackie Kahane who will take you near to Elvis, as Jackie knows french’.
Some minutes later Jackie came, and we followed him backstage to his dressing room, and waited for the close of Elvis’ show. We spoke for some minutes with Jackie, he said ‘Elvis is really a gentle man with all people and he is very funny’ and he mentioned that the Colonel and and Elvis’ bodyguard Sonny West was a little bit ill!.
We waited a long time because after his show Elvis might have to rest a little bit, we were looking forward to the big moment and when Joe Esposito came for us saying ‘Elvis is ready.’ my heart almost gave out.
The meeting with Elvis was wonderful, Elvis was so nice and kind. I can’t really find the the words, he was so friendly. He is also very handsome, and it made me wonder about his age, his face is so young, that no pictures seem to show his real beauty. I gave him the gift, and he signs for me his last single record.
I asked him “what’s the most important thing for you in the life” Elvis said to me “In my life,” I answered “Yes” and without any hesitation, very seriously, he answered “SINGING”.
My sister and I kissed him and we had a photograph taken. My sister asked Elvis “Do you know a word in french” Elvis smiled and said “Pouvez vour parly franzaes” (can you speak French) with a beautiful prounciation, we then had to leave Elvis, so as not to miss the Midnight show. It’s a wonderful memories.
Elvis’ show was fantastic, Elvis is very thin, he doesn’t wear a jumpsuit but some 2 piece outfits and he sings many new songs and enjoyes himself on stage very much, he is very happy to be on stage.
On the 26th August his 2 shows were cancelled for only one day, (surely, his friends gave him their flu……).
The Worldwide Elvis News Service Weekly
Issue 165 / September 3, 1974
