Baby, Let's Play House

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