John was the rhythm guitarist for the TCB Band from the Las Vegas opening in 1969 to the last concert in Indianapolis in 1977.Wilkinson is particularly known for his guitar playing on “Early Morning Rain”, which Elvis repeatedly included in the program from 1974 and thus introduced Wilkinson to the public.After suffering a stroke in […] More
Vester was Vernon Presley’s brother and Elvis’ uncle. For many years he worked as a porter at Graceland, taking care of the fans who waited patiently at the famous “Music Gates” to catch a glimpse of Elvis.He contributed to the books “A Presley Speaks” and “The Presley Family Cookbook”.In 1981 he played himself in the film […] More
Elvis’ father Vernon was born on April 10, 1916 in Fulton, Mississippi to Vester, Delta Mae, Nashville, Lorene and Gladys. The Presleys had lived in Mississippi for generations, and in the woods around Tupelo and Fulton, the name “Presley” was not uncommon.He met Gladys in the early 1930s and the couple married on June 17, 1933. […] More
Minnie Mae was Elvis’ paternal grandmother, whom he nicknamed “Dodger”. Minnie Mae initially lived with Gladys and Vernon in Tupelo and later at Graceland. When Elvis came to Germany with the army, she accompanied Elvis and Vernon to Goethestrasse 14 in Bad Nauheim.Minnie Mae was often in a bad mood, used snuff and wore her sunglasses most […] More
Elvis Aaron Presley’s stillborn twin brother, Jesse, was born first and the doctor wasn’t sure if the second child would even survive. But Elvis, who was born about 30 minutes later, was alive and well.Jesse was buried the next day in an unmarked grave in Priceville Cemetery near East Tupelo, Mississippi. Gladys never quite got over his […] More
Gladys Love Smith was born on April 25, 1912 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi to a family of migrant workers. Her parents were Robert Lee (Bob) Smith and Doll Mansell Smith. She grew up in the peasant poverty typical of her generation. With the exception of her father, her family was made up of drunkards who always seemed to […] More
He is considered by many to be the father of rock & roll. His recording of “Blue Suede Shoes” was on the way up when he was involved in a serious car accident on his way to New York to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 . His brother died in the accident and Perkins missed his […] More
Patti was one of Elvis’ dearest friends. She met Elvis in 1960 while she and a friend were driving down Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles. Standing next to Elvis at a red light, Patti simply rolled down her window and spoke to him.Elvis was impressed. He invited her to his home in Bel Air. Later the two had […] More