by Alanna Nash
Smith, Bobby (cousin), 15, 44, 155, 158, 167, 245, 338–39, 469
Smith, Clettes (aunt), 2, 4, 8, 27
Smith, Gene (cousin): and church as way of meeting girls, 67; as companion to Elvis, 187, 197, 224, 431; and Craig-Elvis relationship, 367; and drugs, 369–70; and Elvis’s Biloxi visit, 163; Elvis double dates with, 51, 59, 103; in Elvis’s films, 232; and Elvis in the army, 257, 269; Elvis’s relationship with, 237; and Elvis’s Shreveport show, 200; as entourage member, 338, 352; in Hollywood, 175, 182; and Lange-Elvis relationship, 334; in Las Vegas, 144; and Lime-Elvis relationship, 227; and Little Richard-Elvis appearance, 214, 215; and Monroe, 327; move to Memphis of, 46; and Scott (Lizabeth)-Elvis relationship, 214; and Spreckles-Elvis relationship, 145; and “the piece,” 199; and Wood (Natalie)-Elvis relationship, 182
Smith, Gladys Love. See Presley, Gladys Love Smith
Smith, Jo, 313, 362, 388, 406, 412–14, 419, 546, 557, 571, 576–78, 588, 591, 598, 603
Smith, John (uncle), 2, 8, 35, 45, 469
Smith, Junior (cousin): death of, 338, 339, 370; drinking by, 158, 338; and drugs, 338; and Elvis’s Biloxi visit, 163; in Elvis’s films, 232; and Elvis in the army, 257, 269; and Elvis’s Shreveport show, 200; in entourage, 155, 338; and Florida tour, 167; and Gladys’s death and funeral, 262; in Hollywood, 175; and July 4th celebration, 158; in Memphis, 46; personality of, 158; and Rowland-Elvis relationship, 171; and Scott (Lizabeth)-Elvis relationship, 214; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 237
Smith, Lillian (aunt), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 23, 39, 45, 136, 195, 223, 324
Smith, Lorraine, 11, 44, 45, 158
Smith, Myrna, 487, 493, 532
Smith, Octavia Luvenia Mansell “Lucy” “Doll” (grandmother), 2–3, 6, 8, 15
Smith, Reeca, 560–61
Smith, Robert Lee “Bob” (grandfather), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Smith, Roger, 422, 423, 441, 478, 480, 497, 509, 530, 604
Smith, Travis (uncle), 2, 3, 8, 11, 17–19, 26, 40, 44–45, 158, 338
Snow, Hank, 36, 81–82, 101, 102, 107, 124–25, 477
Snow, Jimmie Rodgers, 123–24, 249–50
songs/recordings, Elvis’s: Aloha from Hawaii album, 531; “Amazing Grace,” 31, 452; “American Trilogy,” 555; “And I Love You So,” 561; “Any Way You Want Me, “ 156, 159–60; “Are You Lonesome Tonight?, “ 301, 332, 595; “Baby, Let’s Play House, “ 102, 110, 187; “A Big Hunk o’ Love,” 256; “Blue Christmas,” 343, 371, 463; “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” 598; “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” 75–76, 82, 83; “Blue Spanish Eyes,” 545; “Blue Suede Shoes,” 132, 297, 478; “Bossa Nova Baby,” 380; “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” 490; “A Cane and a High Starched Collar,” 331; “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” 343, 348, 355; “Cold, Cold Icy Fingers,” 55; “Danny Boy,” 282; “Don’t Be Cruel,” 156, 159, 170, 179, 186, 187, 208; “The Edge of Reality,” 450; “End of the Rainbow,” 301; “Fever,” 359; “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” 510; From Elvis in Memphis, 473–74; as gold records, 130; “Good Luck Charm,” 355, 439; “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” 79, 114; gospel/religious, 424, 466; “Got a Lot o’ Livin’ to Do,” 217; “Guitar Man,” 460, 462; “Harbor Lights,” 141; “Hawaiian Wedding Song,” 556; “Heartbreak Hotel,” 109, 130, 142, 168; “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame,” 355; “Hound Dog,” 148, 153, 156, 159, 162, 168, 179, 186, 241, 349; “How Great Thou Art,” 424, 595; “Hurt,” 595; “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still in Love with You,” 256; “I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine,” 79; “I Got a Woman,” 130; “I Love You Because,” 74; “I Need Your Love Tonight,” 256; “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” 156; “If I Can Dream,” 461, 462–63; “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” 315; “I’ll Never Stand in Your Way,” 66; “I’ll Take Care of You,” 359; “In the Garden,” 191; “In the Ghetto,” 473; “Is It So Strange,” 218; “It Wouldn’t Be the Same Without You,” 66; “It’s Now or Never,” 332, 359; “I’ve Lost You,” 490; “Jailhouse Rock,” 230; “Johnny B. Goode,” 418; “Just Pretend,” 509; “Kaw-liga,” 48; “Kentucky Rain,” 473; “Let Me,” 178; “Little Egypt,” 394; “A Little Less Conversation,” 450, 451; “Long Black Limousine,” 473; “Please Love Me Forever,” 277; “Love Me Tender,” 178, 179, 185, 191; “Loving You,” 217, 236; “Memories,” 461; “Memphis, Tennessee,” 418; “Milkcow Blues Boogie,” 89; “Mona Lisa,” 282; “Money, Honey,” 130, 141; “My Boy,” 536; “My Happiness,” 58, 65; “The Old Rugged Cross,” 31; “Old Shep,” 30, 35, 37, 39, 55, 84, 159, 186; “One Broken Heart for Sale,” 366; “Peace in the Valley,” 208; “Poor Boy,” 178; popularity of, 96, 102; “Puppet on a String,” 402; “Queenie Wahini’s Papaya,” 417; “Rags to Riches,” 301; “Ready Teddy,” 179, 185; “Return to Sender,” 355; “See See Ryder,” 418; “Separate Ways,” 520; “Shake That Tambourine,” 405; “Side by Side,” 191; “Silent Night,” 282; “Softly as I Leave You,” 556; “Soldier Boy,” 359; Something for Everybody (album), 343; “Song of the Shrimp,” 355; Speedway, 387; “Stop Where You Are,” 416; “Suspicious Minds,” 473–74; “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” 96; “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” 563; “Teddy Bear,” 236; “That’s All Right (Mama),” 74–75, 76, 77, 83, 114, 450; “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin,” 65; “’Til I Waltz Again with You,” 56; “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” 509; “Viva Las Vegas,” 387; “The Walls Have Ears,” 355; “We’re Coming in Loaded,” 355; “We’re Gonna Move,” 178; “Witchcraft,” 326; “Without You,” 72–73; “Yoga Is As Yoga Does,” 427; “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” 490; “You Don’t Know Me,” 435; “You Gave Me a Mountain,” 555; “You Were Always on My Mind,” 520; “Young and Beautiful,” 182; “Your Groovy Self,” 387; “You’re a Heartbreaker,” 89. See also specific label
Spencer, Barbara, 32, 474
spirituality: and book-burning, 438; concerns about Elvis’s interest in, 402–3; and Douglas-Elvis conversations, 413; and Elvis’s generosity, 433; Elvis’s interest in, 399–400, 402–4, 406–8, 413, 419–20, 421, 508–9; and Elvis’s “rebirth,” 407–8; and Fabares-Elvis relationship, 402; Geller as advisor about, 399–400, 403, 406–8, 421; and “God playing” game, 406; Kirkham-Elvis conversations about, 491; Leigh (Suzanna)-Elvis conversations about, 415, 497; and Lisa Marie’s birth, 448, 449; Miller (Mindi)-Elvis discussions about, 563; mocking of Elvis’s interest in, 427–28; Priscilla’s lack of interest in, 491; Walley-Elvis conversations about, 421. See also religion
Spreckels, Judy, 144–45, 185, 227, 252
St. Marks Methodist Church (Tupelo, Mississippi), 14
Stage Show (TV show), 131, 153, 154, 298
Stalin, Joseph; Elvis’s vision of, 407
Stanley, Angie, 532–33, 571
Stanley, Billy, 278, 532–33, 555, 557, 571
Stanley, David, 278, 588, 601, 602
Stanley, Devada “Dee” Elliott. See Presley, Devada “Dee”
Stanley, Ricky, 278, 374, 499, 560, 599
Stanwyck, Barbara, 394–95
A Star is Born (Streisland proposal), 561, 562
The Starlite Wranglers, 73–74, 76, 77
The Statesmen, 59, 70, 77
Stax Records, 472, 536
Stefaniak, Elisabeth, 279–82, 286–89, 291–92, 300, 302, 310, 317, 322–24
The Steve Allen Show (TV show), 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 160, 178
Stevens, Andrea June, 169–70
Stevens, Connie, 351–52
Stevens, Stella, 356–57
Stevenson, Venetia, 176, 239
Stewart, Tom, 308, 330–31
Stone, Mike, 459, 460, 512, 519, 520, 523, 534, 556
Strada, Al, 557, 601, 602
Streisand, Barbra, 475, 561–62
stuffed animals; Elvis’s collection of, 133
Sullivan, Ed, 178, 208, 457. See also The Ed Sullivan Show
Sun Records: Cash as artist for, 118; and change in Elvis’s music, 462; and discovery of Elvis, 317; Elvis leaves, 102; and Elvis’s popularity, 96; Elvis’s recordings for, 65–66, 72–75, 89, 102, 123; Elvis signs wi
th, 76; Elvis’s visits to, 337; and Evans visit to Memphis, 197–98; “Million Dollar Quartet” session at, 198; Pittman as artist for, 193
The Sweet Inspirations, 477, 478, 487, 493, 532, 567
Taranto, Salvadore “Penue,” 113, 218
Taurog, Norman, 326, 345, 348, 354, 355, 365, 404, 414, 452
Taylor, Elizabeth, 133, 204, 397, 428
TCB charm/ring, 500, 587
television: Elvis early shows on, 131, 132, 148; Elvis special for, 449–50, 454, 455–59, 460–67, 468, 469; and NBC-Parker deal, 449–50, 455–56. See also specific person or show
Tennessee; “Elvis Presley Day” in, 341
Tennessee State Employment Security office; Elvis’s job with, 54
Tennessee State Legislature; Elvis’s appearance before, 341–42
Tharpe, Rosetta, 36–37, 119
This is Elvis (video), 521
Thompson, Linda: and “Aloha from Hawaii” concert, 531; appearance of, 524; baby talk between Elvis and, 529–30; break-up between Elvis and, 562, 579, 582; and Briggs, 585; and death of Elvis’s dog, 575; and Elvis as a parent, 576; and Elvis’s breathing problems, 537; and Elvis’s death, 603; and Elvis’s depression, 578–79; and Elvis’s drug use, 531, 536, 537, 539, 543–44; Elvis first starts seeing, 524–25; Elvis’s gifts for, 530, 562, 576; and Elvis’s health problems, 540–41, 559, 561, 567; and Elvis’s other women, 530, 546, 547, 549, 552, 553, 557, 560, 562, 568, 569, 571, 582; Elvis’s relationship with, 524, 529, 552, 553, 579, 585; and firing of entourage members, 578; at Graceland, 525, 553; in Las Vegas, 526, 529, 555; motherly role of, 529, 541;nicknames for, 529; personality and character of, 524; and Sam’s hiring, 584; and Shepherd-Elvis meeting, 525; and shooting incident, 543; on tours, 582; as virgin, 524
Thompson, Sam, 584, 603
Time magazine, 147, 253, 408
TLC charm/pendants, 500, 509, 574, 588
tours, Elvis’s: and Alden-Elvis relationship, 592–93; documentary about, 520; Elvis’s desire for, 487; and Elvis’s health problems, 589, 593; and Elvis’s spending, 574; and Elvis’s unpredictable behavior, 576; fifteen-city, 520; girlfriends on, 516, 552, 564, 566, 567, 582, 589; last night on, 596; plans for, 597; six-city, 498; and Thompson-Elvis relationship, 579. See also specific city or tour
Trio Club (Pine Bluff, Arkansas), 91, 200
Tschechowa, Ada, 288, 289, 290
Tschechowa, Vera, 288–91
Tubb, Ernest, 36, 101, 119
Tucker, Beau, 572–73, 574
Tucker, Tanya, 572–74
Tupelo Hotel; Elvis’s singing at, 36
Tupelo, Mississippi: blacks in, 35–36; Elvis benefit show for Youth Center in, 225, 341; Elvis’s donation to, 185; Elvis’s visits to, 185–88, 195; life in, 3–4; social class in, 9; tornado in, 15–16; Vernon and Gladys’s visits to, 250. See also specific person
Turner, Roy, 9, 14, 17, 35
Twentieth Century-Fox: 148, 275, 327, 331, 333, 344; Fox Pictures, 178, 179. See also specific film
twinship, 17, 23, 26, 50, 254, 366, 398–99, 433, 487, 501, 504, 508
Tyler, Judy Hess, 229, 230, 232–33
uniforms; Elvis’s fascination with, 50, 499–500, 508, 576
United Artists, 332, 348, 436
U.S.S. Arizona, 345–46, 417, 450, 531
U.S.S. Randall, 269, 271, 322
Wade, Ann Marie, 480–81, 482
Wagner, James, 306–7, 310, 312
Wakely, Jimmy, 352, 425
Walley, Deborah, 410, 420–21, 575–76
Wallis, Hal: autobiography of, 198; and Blue Hawaii, 344, 345, 347, 348; and Easy Come, Easy Go, 427–28, 449; and Elvis’s appearance, 414, 427; and Elvis as potential actor, 133; Elvis’s contracts with, 132, 414, 422; Elvis’s difficulties with, 417, 427–28; and Elvis films as only sure thing in show business, 348; and Elvis’s screen test, 132, 148; Elvis’s views about, 356; and Fun in Acapulco, 380; and G.I. Blues, 325; and Girls, Girls, Girls, 354–55; loans Elvis out, 148; and Loving You, 198; and Parrish, 416; and Scott, 213; and Stevens (Stella), 356
Wardlaw, Billie, 48–51, 52–54, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 69, 70, 102
Washington, D.C., Elvis in, 501, 503–5, 507–8, 517–18
Webb, Robert D., 176, 177
Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida; ceremony honoring Elvis at, 349–50
Wehrheim, Josef, 277, 289
Weisbart, David, 175, 178, 348
Weiss, Allan, 132, 380, 427
Welch, Raquel, 396–97, 526, 604
Weld, Tuesday, 320, 333, 334–35, 352, 359
WELO radio, 36, 40, 187
Wertheimer, Al, 153–54, 155, 156, 159, 160, 167, 290
West, Pat, 512, 520
West, Robert Gene “Red”: and Ann-Margret and Elvis, 386; book by, 105, 578, 597, 599; and Buergin-Elvis relationship, 278; car accident of, 188; and Carter-Elvis relationship, 103, 105–6; and drugs, 413; and Easy Come, Easy Go filming, 427; and Elvis’s Biloxi visit, 163; as Elvis’s bodyguard, 55–56; and Elvis’s collapse at Gator Bowl, 105; and Elvis’s drug use, 557; and Elvis in the army, 269, 274, 275, 278, 281, 283, 286, 289–90, 292; and Elvis’s interest in spirituality, 408; and Elvis’s karate interest, 510; and Elvis’s Minstrel Show performance, 57; and Elvis on Sinatra special, 326; and Elvis’s personality, 395; Elvis’s relationship with, 47, 292, 441; and Elvis’s unpredictable behavior, 576; firing of, 578, 584; and Florida tour, 167, 169; and Fortas’ drug dependency, 412; and Gladys’s health, 257; guns of, 510; in Hawaii, 414; and Hearn-Elvis relationship, 223; in high school, 47, 55–56; and hit on Stone, 534; in Hollywood, 328, 436; and Jones’ “Green, Green Grass of Home,” 428; leaves Elvis, 292; and Leigh-Elvis relationship, 493; Locke’s views about, 103; Los Angeles home of, 425; and members of entourage, 158, 238, 352, 404; musical talent of, 56, 188; in Palm Springs, 426; and Parker, 441; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 519, 534; recordings of, 424, 472; and Rowland’s calls, 564–65; salary of, 292; senior prom of, 61; shooting by, 283; and Stefaniak-Elvis relationship, 281; and Stevens (Stella)-Elvis relationship, 356; and threats against Elvis, 492; Vernon’s relationship with, 292; and wedding of Priscilla and Elvis, 441; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 237, 291
West, Sonny: and Andress-Elvis relationship, 380; books by, 105, 515, 578, 597, 599; and Brownlee-Elvis meeting, 569; and chimpanzee antics, 353; and donut shop incident, 517, 518; and drugs, 413; and Elvis’s drug use, 420, 557; and Elvis in films, 325; and Elvis in Washington, 504–5; and Elvis’s tours, 498; and Elvis’s unpredictable behavior, 576; and Fabares-Elvis relationship, 439; firing of, 578, 584; in Hawaii, 414; and Leigh-Elvis relationship, 493; and marriage of Priscilla and Elvis, 429, 439, 441; as member of entourage, 325, 352; and mirror incident, 352; in Palm Springs, 426; and Peterson-Elvis relationship, 514–15; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 511, 520; and Priscilla’s affairs/flirting, 512; and Prowse, 326; Satana’s meeting with, 226; and Stanwyck-Elvis relationship, 394; and threats against Elvis, 492; wedding of, 499, 501
Westmoreland, Kathy, 491, 542, 561, 566, 595, 597
Wetherington, Jim “Big Chief,” 70, 77
WHBQ radio, 71, 74–75, 233, 374
Wheeler, Kay, 110–11, 137, 138–42, 190, 200–203, 227, 229
WHER radio, 124, 126
Whitman, Slim, 76, 77, 82, 102
Whitmer, Peter O., 3, 6, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25–26, 36, 268, 303, 315, 366, 398–99, 433, 467, 501
Wilbanks, Janie, 270, 287–88
Wilkinson, June, 245–46
William Morris Agency, 101, 132, 148, 179–80, 196, 321, 427
Williams, Andy, 256, 263, 456, 493
Williams, Hank, 48, 82, 93, 95, 224, 256
Williams, Sherry, 498–99, 509, 519–20, 546, 589
Wilson, Jim, 57, 166, 499
Wilson, Regis, 57–61, 166, 499
WMPS (radio), 71, 76
“WMS Grand Ole Opry” tour, 103
WNOE radio, 163–64, 165
women: effect of Gladys’s death on Elvis’s relationship with, 287; Elvis’s love of
attention from, 85–86; Elvis’s views about, 26, 90, 138, 179, 226, 335, 381, 515–16; who have been pregnant, 455, 476, 515. See also girlfriends; sex; specific woman
Wood, Anita: in beauty contest, 238; breakup between Elvis and, 364–65; childhood and youth of, 235; and drafting of Elvis, 244; and Elvis’s discharge from the army, 322, 323, 324–25; and Elvis’s drug use, 267, 545; Elvis’s first meeting/date with, 233, 235–37; Elvis’s gifts to, 236, 237, 315, 323; and Elvis in the army, 251, 252, 255–56, 257, 269, 270, 274, 275–76, 277, 278, 291, 313–15; Elvis’s last conversation with, 543; Elvis’s memories of, 393, 543; and Elvis’s other women, 239–40, 277, 278, 313, 314–15, 323, 324, 357; Elvis’s relationship with, 237, 238–40, 255, 256, 276, 291, 313–15, 364–65, 533, 545; Elvis’s use of physical force against, 357; and fans-Elvis relationship, 269; film career of, 240; and Gladys’s death and funeral, 263–64, 266; at Graceland, 239, 245, 365; and Junior’s death, 338; in Las Vegas, 533; and naming of Lisa Marie, 441; in New Orleans, 245; Paramount contract with, 238; personality and character of, 235, 237, 238–39; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 313, 314–15, 331, 357, 359, 364–65; and Priscilla’s visit to Hollywood, 360; recordings of, 256; refuses money, 365; and Vernon-Dee relationship, 292, 325; as virgin, 238