Authored with the expressed written permission of mr. The secret treasures of elvis a scrapbook updated 2 book. Portrait of a friend by marty lacker, in well read condition. Marty lacker was elvis cobest man at the wedding and he has kindly given ein permission to publish his story of what happened on that famous day. Marty lacker, in particular, would later cast doubt on the recollections of all the stanleys. Nick first visited elvis at circle g because he had a bad cold. Patsys memories tell much of the story as it came to be known after the.
Marty lacker, lamar fike, and billy smith, who was elvis cousin. This is one of the best books about elvis that was ever written. Elvis, portrait of a friend leslie and lacker, marty smith on. One of elvis trusted friends, marty lacker was instrumental in arranging elvis seminal recording sessions at american sound studios with producer chips moman in january and february of 1969. Travels and tribulations with elvis by close friends. Marty lacker claims, she used to write him letters and sign them bunny or thumper. Im not a doctor but he suffered all that at times but dont we all. Marty lacker however was the first of elvis inner circle to cash in on his death by writing a book exposing the private life of the king and his memphis mafia, paving the way for the rest of the entourage to write their own memoirs. It is with immense sadness that ein has to report on the death of our great friend and a true friend to elvis marty lacker. Billy smith elviss first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother marty lacker best man at his wedding and foreman of the memphis mafia, the kings handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with elvis. He was best man at presleys wedding shortly before he was fired in 1967. He was personal secretary and bookkeeper among other things. Evidence elvis presley is alive july 17, 2015 read how in alanna nashs book marty lacker describes how elvis wanted to switch identities with someone and the fact that this person would have to have plastic surgery to look like him.
Alanna nash billy smith marty lacker lamar fike abebooks. Patsys memories tell much of the story as it came to be known after the first revelations by the west and habler. Marty lacker far right, elvis and the memphis mafia ml. Elvis was an avid reader and had a vast book collection on a number of subjects including politics, religion. A personal memoir by one who knew him by chris hutchins who. Once one assigns credibility to ginger aldens account of her relationship with elvis presley in her 2014 book, elvis and ginger, her story qualifies as the best existing narrative of the final nine months of presleys life. Update june 6, 2007 from the elvis information network. Elvis being at the edge of the crowd to the centre of the group in 1961, lacker would be formally employed by elvis, be cobest man in 1967. I quit working for elvis because i got tired of traveling and the atmosphere changed a bit when he married priscilla.
This makes sense, because marty had business interests in the recording industry and lots of contacts. So according to elviss brother david stanley new book, there were pills and syringes surrounding elvis dead body when he was found the rehashed suicide. The biggest section of the book was written by marty lacker, and its interesting to note that when. Buy elvis, portrait of a friend by lacker, marty isbn. Through revealing interviews with three of elvis s closest friends, who were also his protectors and rescuers, nash achieves the first true mapping of elvis s psyche. Two respected elvis aides, marty lacker and elvis s cousin billy smith, say that although the body found slumped in the bathroom of elvis s graceland mansion on august 16, 1977 was certified dead, the real elvis was hundreds of miles away.
Made me more appreciative of elvis s guys who were loyal till the end and still are to this day. Marty shares the genesis behind those historic sessions, which yielded the hits, suspicious minds, in the ghetto, dont cry daddy, and kentucky rain and marked an artistic rebirth for the singer. Elvis presley faked his own death after paying a terminally ill lookalike to be buried in his place, the people can sensationally reveal. Marty lacker, a member of elvis famed memphis mafia and one of the best men at elvis 1967 wedding, died monday after suffering from kidney failure. Martin lacker obituary memphis, tn the commercial appeal. In his book, jerry schilling reported seeing annmargret enter elviss california home late at night in the fall of 1964 with her own key and make her way up to elviss bedroom. Marty lacker peacefully passed monday, february, 2017 of natural causes. Marty lacker was one of elvis presleys most trusted friends as well as being part of the infamous group of men who lived with, worked with, had personal and professional relationships with elvis and were known as the memphis mafia. Billy smith elvis s first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother marty lacker best man at his wedding and foreman of the memphis mafia, the kings handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with elvis. Marty lacker wrote to ein to present his thoughts on the new book see news story below elvis the seeker. One of 5000 copies, this edition unnumbered and signed by marty lacker.
The bulk of the book, provided by marty lacker, is but a sanitized version of his later contribution to the book by alanna nash on the memphis mafia. Memphis mafia member, marty lacker, reconfirmed that billy never worked for elvis and fans should save their money and buy something legitimate, while others claimed billys scrapbook venture was either a scam or he was just another misguided guy trying to have his ten minutes of fame. Exceptionally good book with some new elvis insights. Elvis and the memphis mafia alanna nash, billy smith, marty. Elvis and the memphis mafia by alanna nash booksamillion. I am basically retired now but i still do some entertainment consultancy from time to time. Speaking of books and some of the fiction that has been written in regards to elvis and his world, i was just sent an excerpt from george kleins. Billy smith, marty lacker and lamar fike are reputed to have been close friends of elvis presley from their teens until his tragic death. Marty remembers how elvis gave him the nickname moon during a crosscountry bus trip. Nick, elvis had saddle sores on his buttocks from riding his horse at the ranch. He also appeared in the documentaries the elvis mob 2004 and all the kings men 1997.
However, one of the other pages in this package expanded on marty functions at both locations. He might add a little more detail, but its still essentially the exact same story. A friend of elviss since high school, marty was employed by elvis from roughly 19601967. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Lamar fike decadeslong member of the memphis mafia.
Feb 01, 2012 billy smith elvis s first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother marty lacker best man at his wedding and foreman of the memphis mafia, the king s handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with. We were not close there but were aware of each other because we both basically dressed alike, unlike most of the guys back then, we wore colorful flashy clothes. Elvis brought out this blue velvet case with pills, of all sorts and colors and elvis gave me some, of his pills,i took them for 15 years or more. Lacker pushed elvis into studios where he was challenged and produced his best later work. Ive been an elvis fan for thirtyfive years, and ive read many nooks about the man, but this one, hands down, is the best.
Thankyou marty you showed that elvis wasnt the only one. The original memphis mafia members that have lefted us. Marty lacker is the author of elvis, portrait of a friend 3. Oct 10, 2019 a trusted member of elvis presleys inner circle, marty lacker was an integral part of setting up the kings 1969 memphis recording sessions. Are you currently involved in any elvis related projects. At the time of his death, he was reportedly writing his memoir, fike. The original memphis mafia members that have passed away. Elvis presleys 3 books wgraceland loa mar 28, 2020.
If elvis presleys best man, marty lacker, took on elvis manager colonel tom parker what do you think would happen. Elvis postponed the wedding because he really didnt want to marry her not because the secret got out. Marty is wellknown as one of the key members of the memphis mafia and also cobest man at elvis wedding. The biggest section of the book was written by marty lacker, and its interesting to note that when he repeats some of the stories in the book elvis aaron presley.
Elvis presleys 3 personally owned books given to marty lacker featured in graceland auction w4 loas these three hard cover books were personally owned by elvis presley before they were given to memphis mafia member, marty lacker. If elvis was bipolar, to make matters worse those symptoms are also the major sideeffects of amphetamines. She was clearly the closest person to elvis during that period. It is written with honesty from his perspective and he has some great memories to reveal. Fike had been hospitalized for nonhodgkins lymphoma, on and off, since last october. With that in mind, then, lets see what rick stanley recalled in his people article in 1989 on the twelfth anniversary of elviss death. He is preceded in death by his parents henry and rose grodstein lacker and his.
Thanks marty and patsy lacker for your insight into the life of elvis and for all you did for him. Billy smith elvis s first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother marty lacker best man at his wedding and foreman of the memphis mafia, the king s handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with. I read priscillas bullshit story about the wedding and once again she changes reality to make herself look good. Fike was the coauthor of the 2005 book elvis and the memphis mafia. For her part, in her book annmargret avoided passionate details of her relationship with elvis, instead focusing on the motorcycle rides and other adventures they shared as close friends. Revelations from the memphis mafia by alanna nash, billy smith, marty lacker, lamar fike and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Revelations from the memphis mafia, the stories dont change. Marty lacker passed away on february, 2017 at the age of 80 leaving behind a great family, loved ones, friends, etc. Photo of marty lacker circa 1971 the date may be off it is sosad. Marty lacker on elvis being broke elvis express radio. Marty lacker and elvis cousin, billy smith, were probably the closest true friends of elvis according to some in the group. Learning that marty lacker passed away today february, 2017 hurts.
The memphis mafia was the nickname given by rock n roll icon elvis presley to a group of friends, associates, employees and cousins whose main functions were to accompany, protect, and serve elvis from the beginning of his career in 1954 until his death in 1977. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Elvis, portrait of a friend by marty lacker goodreads. I am so very sorry for loss not just as i type these words but until my time comes to leave this earth. Billy smith elvis s first cousin and the person he reputedly loved most after his own mother marty lacker best man at his wedding and foreman of the memphis mafia, the kings handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants and lamar fike the touring crew member who accompanied him into the army were with elvis from his teens to his. Elvis portrait friend by marty lacker patsy leslie smith. Elvis and i went to the last year of high school together at humes high in 1953. Portrait of a friend by marty lacker, leslie smith.
Late in elvis life, the boys performed many of the services that betterknown presley insiders had done for years. Buy a cheap copy of elvis, portrait of a friend book by marty lacker. The inside story of elvis presleys 1969 memphis recording. Leslie smith and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He performed many duties for elvis, including those of personal secretary and bookkeeper.
A few days ago, we featured a news report about a new book, elvis. This has all of his california cult crap that he espouses all over it. Martys musings marty lacker talks about elvis news an. Portrait of a friend book online at best prices in india on. This book contains the recollections of three memphis mafia members. Portriat of a friend marty lacker, patsy lacker, leslie s. Marty was a best man at elvis and priscillas wedding and was a real close friend and trusted group foreman to elvis. Sonny west, marty lacker, lamar fike, joe esposito, red west, charlie hodge and alan fortas. Apr 06, 20 if elvis presleys best man, marty lacker, took on elvis manager colonel tom parker what do you think would happen. Marty lacker, who was joint best man at elvis and cillas wedding had this to say regarding her comments. Our book elvis and the memphis mafia has just been released in the uk and australia and will be released in the us this spring.
Marty was a best man at elvis and priscillas wedding and was a. This is one of the better books about life with elvis written by marty lacker and his wife patsy. The stanley brothersbilly, rick, davidwere never part of the memphis mafia, according to marty lacker, a long time presley aide and friend. Known for his generosity attributed by presley himself to an impoverished childhood, he bought some of these employees homes as wedding gifts and frequently bought new cadillac automobiles for employees, relatives and friends. Marty lacker the best man at elvis s wedding and foreman of the famed memphis mafia, the handpicked group of gatekeepers and confidants who formed presleys entourage. Elvis and the memphis mafia by alanna nash, billy smith. Part 2 in the second part of our candid interview with memphis mafia member, marty lacker, marty talks about the memphis mafia, the women in elvis life, lisa presley and the idea that elvis faked his death. Our cheap used books come with free delivery in the us. Marty lacker sadly passes away 22017 the elvis expert.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Marty lacker writes i read the article about the new elvis seeker book, are you sure the author isnt larry geller using an alias. If not for marty lacker, elvis might never have gone to american studios in 1969 to record the landmark from elvis in memphis record. Nov 08, 2018 marty lacker added, neither one of them was married, and they really cared a lot about each other and priscilla was back at graceland. Oct 26, 2016 marty lacker attended humes high in the same grade as elvis presley.
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