Published by Ballantine Books, the book included reports of Elvis infatuation with guns, his drug use and his alleged efforts to have the then-boyfriend of ex-wife Priscilla executed. The actress explained that she had noticed Elvis hadnt sent her any flowers for her latest performance in Las Vegas a familiar gesture for Elvis, signifying to Ann-Margret that something was wrong. The next day, hundreds of beautiful floral arrangements lined the gates of Graceland as a way to honor the late rock-n-roll star. As it turned out, Elvis death generated more than tributes. He's written about art and entertainment for more than a decade, regularly contributing to outlets like Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly, and appearing as a guest on radio and television. (Kingsley, who now works the police beat, is a longtime chronicler of Elvis and Col. Tom Parker, Elvis legendary manager. Elvis Presley had many loves across his lifetime from his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, to his co-star Ann-Margret. Even so, at 2:56 p.m. he was rushed into the emergency room, which was then closed to all other cases. A tragic car crash outside Graceland. Elvis last week alive was apparently a happy one. Just after 2pm Tuesday, August 16, 1977 Ginger Alden found Elvis, face down, unconscious, on the floor in the bathroom at Graceland. Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margaret, John Wayne and Roger Smith attended the private funeral service. > the National Enquirer before she called for help for Elvis. Meanwhile, over at the Commercial Appeal, Lawrence Buser managed to land an interview with Elvis final fiancee, Ginger Alden (who was also interviewed by the National Enquirer). Everyone knows Elvis Presleys relationship with Priscilla Presley. Elvis wouldve kicked my rear end if I hadnt., Elvis death brought together the members of Elvis inner circle--known as the Memphis Mafia. Said Hodge: We all just sort of assumed certain duties. Id fluff his hair back out, the way he liked it, he remembered. He also happened to be on Today Wednesday morning and shared his memories of the day the music died. It read: THE KING IS DEAD! Its a secret. Though you really dont know. Your email address will not be published. The world lost the King of Rock 40 years ago last August, and now his longtime queen is opening up about the day she said goodbye. When Presley died, as far as our editor was concerned, nothing else in the world happened that day, said Thomas. There is no doubt that with Elvis' death rock n roll music died and the world would never be the same again. Some had scoops fall into their laps. Blue Hawaii: Ginger Alden, here with Elvis on their last holiday together to Hawaii, woke up on the day he died at Graceland and Elvis was not in bed.She got dressed, put on her makeup and. Because of Elvis love for his mother, his father knew hed want to be buried next to her. Well, covering Elvis was a war, too. Ginger Alden, his fiance at the time, found him on his bathroom floor where he had been for hours. On August 7th, Elvis had rented Libertyland, a local amusement park, from midnight till dawn. Thats why we immediately wanted the coffin shot.. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners suspended his license for 90 days and put him on three months probation. Lisa Marie Presley retains 100% sole personal ownership of Graceland Mansion itself and its over 13-acre original grounds and her fathers personal effects meaning costumes, wardrobe, awards, furniture, cars, etc.. She has made the mansion property and her fathers personal effects permanently available for tours of , Your email address will not be published. Elvis Presley's ex-lover Ann-Margret attended the funeral proceedings and spent some time with his father, Vernon Presley. Events in the book, as detailed by former Elvis employees Red West, Sonny West and Dave Hebler (as told to Steve Dunleavy), fired up the coverage (of Elvis death), said reporter William Thomas. I was with him for 17 years so, for me, protection was an automatic thing. As such, Kingsley scored a coup earlier this year when he accompanied the Colonel on a Mothers Day weekend visit to Graceland--the Colonels first return to Graceland since Elvis death.). . Ginger Alden, who was 21 years younger than the King of Rock n' Roll, was a beauty pageant star. Ginger Alden who was Elvis' current girlfriend at the time of his death is selling her engagement ring which Elvis gave her. Ginger Alden, his fiance at the time, found him on his bathroom floor where he had been for hours. So, when he died, I guess you could say we also protected him. Maybe, with the fans and everyone behind him, Elvis could have gotten some help. Elvis proposed to her in early 1977 with a diamond engagement ring. How many houses did Elvis Presley have? He had planned to announce their engagement publicly on his upcoming tour in Memphis; sadly, he died before this could happen. West did a widely syndicated interview with Bob Greene. 2. Who was Elvis Presleys girlfriend Ginger? . heart failure Gladys Presley was only 46 when she died, after being hospitalized with hepatitis in 1958, when Elvis was undergoing basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, after being drafted into the Army. Then he just got in his car and headed for Memphis. When she missed her deadline, she sold her story to Rolling Stone. In the hours that followed, Kendall was faced with locating a copper casket similar to that which had been used for Elvis mother (there was no such coffin in Memphis, so one was flown in from Oklahoma City) and rounding up a fleet of 17 white Cadillac limousines (there were only three in Memphis). After the hospital finally received its call from Graceland, where Vernon Presley had been told about his son, it was decided that Joe Esposito would officially announce the death to those members of the press (maybe 30 or so) who had already gathered at the hospital. Elvis had Ginger's family flown in to Harrison, Arkansas where they drove 20 miles to Jasper, Arkansas for the services which took place in a very small church. Red West, however, chose to stay out of the spotlight. In WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the said ELVIS A. PRESLEY, do hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two (2) competent witnesses, and in their presence do publish and declare this instrument to be my Last Will and Testament, this 3 day of March, 1977. During an appearance on Today Wednesday morning, Priscilla Presley reflected on the day of Elvis funeral an event that sent Memphis into mourning. West said he had no regrets about having written the book. Elvis Presley was lying in state in the seamless copper coffin in the doorway of Gracelands music room. The city came to resemble a gypsy camp as tens of thousands of followers dropped whatever they were doing wherever they were and made their way to where they knew they had to be. A Harvey Team, which is trained in all means of reviving a dying person, worked on him without success. Klein remembered, Wed gotten a call from the gate, saying that Caroline Kennedy wants to come up. Speaking about the film, Priscilla said her work on such projects allows her to experience Elvis' life all over again. Because he was pretty far gone. Except when it came to what you hear on those records. 5. The interview was carried out by Nancy Anderson who Elvis had previously met as the West Coast editor of Photoplay magazine. He sent it over in his limo. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. A headstone in his honor sits at Graceland. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time Learning that Thompson had tried to reach him, he promptly called her back on the dentists phone, never thinking wed be talking for an hour and 40 minutes., He surmised: I think I was a shoulder to cry on. THE KING OF ROCK KEEPS ON ROLLIN--People magazine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Marion Keiske Who Discovered Elvis Presley? Did Ginger Alden attend Elvis funeral? The police were called in. The two were engaged until his untimely death in 1977. Among those paying their respects was Bill Murray, then an up and coming comedian on Saturday Night Live. 4. Like the bumper stickers that read, Elvis Lives. said that someone was having trouble breathing at Graceland. George Klein, a friend since the eighth grade (We had all the exact same classes, all through Humes High School) ducked interview requests for a year following the death, because I had to get things in perspective. Well, there was a single exception: This CBS newscaster got me as I was on my way to the funeral., Klein has since become an accessible Elvis source--one who speaks reverently and carefully about his friend. October 2, 1977 : After grave robbers tried to steal Elvis casket he is entering his last journey. I cannot. This after the family decided that a flower should go to each fan who hadnt been able to view the body. TV news anchor Chuck H. It was my way of trying to help him, but, I dont know--if Elvis had lived--if it (the book) would have made any difference. Public viewing of Elvis body. Wouldnt you have done that?, He added, You have to remember what Memphis was like at the time. That look is not far away from her father's now. Thats the way it was. She was always disappointing him. To that time, the only Elvis-related feature that the Commercial Appeals Thomas had ever done was about a determined fan who had mailed herself to Graceland in a large box. . As for the rest of the event, reports claimed attendees could hear Vernons sorrowful cries throughout the funeral service. Elvis Presley death in memory sign in Memphis, Tennessee on August 18th, 1977. Crosby was driving and Jones was helping with revival attempts in the back. Fans stopped their lives in order to make a pilgrimage to Memphis. He was so shy about admitting he even had a problem.. As I ran across the cemetery, all of a sudden the motorcycles came in the motorcycles cops looked at me like, If you move we will kill ya,' he recounted. Elvis Presley, was still wearing her 11 1/2-carat diamond engagement ring as she recalled the final hours of the singer's life. Many people agree that she phoned. As for stories that the Enquirer reporters riled reporters from other publications because they had papered the town by buying up exclusive rights to peoples stories--Calder said simply, If the sheer force of money can give you what people want to read, you give them what they want.. Looking away from a reporter, he brushed away a tear. Ginger and Elvis and ed Parker. That amount in 1977 money is about $19.6 million in 2021 dollars. Alden was also allegedly banned from entering Elvis' Graceland home, with Elvis' uncle Vester telling The Daily Express that "Ginger Alden is dead now as far as the family is concerned.". He is reburied in the meditation garden of the villa Graceland. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 6, a Modular Rev Ambulance an orange and white boxlike structure affixed to a GMC chassis turned on the siren and headed south. The Beverly Wilshire didnt know what was happening, man.. She is an actress and a model and had been dating Elvis Presley at the time of his death. According to CelebrityNetWorth, Elvis Presley had a net worth of $20million (15million) at the time of his death but technically his net worth was only $5million (3.5million), before adjusting for inflation. About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms Conditions... Sort of assumed certain duties Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap rushed into the emergency,. 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