ENTREVISTA COM JERRRY SCHILLING/ INTERVIEW:JERRY SCHILLING (THE DAY ELVIS CRIED)

"My worst memory, and the worst day of my life has to be the day Priscilla took Lisa Marie away from Graceland," says Schilling. "To this day, that image still haunts me..."

Minha pior lembrança ,e o pior dia da minha vida foi quando Priscilla levou Lisa Marie embora de Graceland",diz Schilling."Até hoje ,aquelas imagens me assombram...."

On October 9, 1973, after 5 years of marriage Elvis and Priscilla were divorced. It was Elvis who filed for the divorce, as token gesture to save Priscilla the embarrassment as she was the mother of his daughter, Lisa Marie, who only 4 years old at the time.

Em 9 de outubro de 1973,eles se divorciaram,foi Elvis quem pediu o divórcio ,livrando Priscilla de uma situação já embaraçosa,uma vez que ela era a mãe de sua filha de 4 anos.

,"It was I very sad day for all of us," says Schilling. "I remember how Elvis just stood in Lisa's bedroom and watched in silence as Alberta (Graceland's cook) helped Priscilla pack Lisa's clothes and toys into several suitcases... Elvis said nothing, but I could see the pain in his eyes," recalls Schilling.

"Foi um dia triste para todos nós,diz Schilling." eu me lembro de Elvis no quarto de Lisa observando em silêncio enquanto Alberta ( a cozinheira de Graceland) ajudava Priscilla a fazer as malas com as roupas e brinquedos de Lisa.....Elvis não dizia nada,mas podíamos ver a dor em seus olhos.",recorda Schilling.

"Suddenly, he yelled out to me and Joe (Esposito) to help Priscilla put the baggage into the car. Elvis just couldn't bring himself to carry the bags out to the car, himself," whispers Schilling.

"De repente ,ele gritou para mim e Joe,para que ajudássemos Priscilla a colocar as bagagens no carro. Elvis não conseguiu fazer isso sozinho," sussura Schilling.

Unaware of the happening between her parents in her bedroom, Lisa Marie played happily with her nanny outside the grounds of Graceland.
Sem saber do que se passava,Lisa brincava com a babá nos jardins de Graceland.In an aim to spare Lisa the sorry of their separation, Elvis and Priscilla had told her that she was going away on a vacation with her mother to Los Angeles, where she was going to attend school. "It broke my heart to see Elvis, a man who had everything, suddenly be lose the most important person in his life - his daughter."

Num esforço para poupar Lisa do sofrimento,Elvis e Priscilla disseram a ela que iria passar férias com mãe em Los Angeles,onde ela iria para escola também."Partiu meu coração ver Elvis,um homem que tinha tudo,de repente perder a pessoa mais importante de sua vida,sua filha."

"Lisa was more important than life itself to Elvis." Now she was being taken away from him," says Schilling.

" Lisa era mais importante do que a vida para Elvis." Agora ela estava sendo tirada dele",diz Schilling.

Although, the court ruled Priscilla gets custody of Lisa Marie, Elvis believed his daughter would be far better off raised with small town of values in Memphis, just like he was, than in a big city like Los Angeles.

Apesar da custódia da menina ter sido dada á mãe,Elvis acreditava que ela seria melhor educada numa cidade pequena,Memphis, que conservasse os valores,como ele fora, do que numa cidade grande como Los Angeles.

"Elvis just stood watching as we load up Priscilla's blue Mercedes.

"Elvis ficou observando enquanto Priscilla colocava as malas no Mercedes azul."

Until that finally moment, Elvis was still composed, but when it was time to bid farewell to his daughter, Elvis broke down and cried as he swooped his beloved Lisa into his arms. Elvis held Lisa tight for a very long time. "Be a good girl, Button-head," whispered Elvis. (Button-head was Elvis' pet name for Lisa) "You come and visit often, you hear," said Elvis trying to hold back the tears. Then out of sheer desperation Elvis insisted, "Get mummy to teach you how to use the phone, so you can call me everyday, okay."

Até os momentos finais ele parecia conter-se.Porém,quando chegou a hora de despedir-se da filha ele desabou em lágrimas ,enquanto abraçava a filha.Ele a segurou durante um longo tempo."Seja uma boa garota,Button-head",Elvis susurrou.(Button-head era o apelido que Elvis deu a Lisa)"Vc vem me visitar sempre,está ouvindo,"Elvis disse tentando conter a lágrimas.Então em desespero Elvis insistiu:" Peça a mamãe que lhe ensine a usar o telefone,então você pode me ligar todo dia,okay."

As Schilling recalls, "Lisa Marie, was always a very perceptive child. She realised this was not the usual way her daddy said goodbye. Normally, Elvis would says, 'Button-head I'm off to work. What do you want daddy to bring you back, this time?'"

Schilling recorda,"Lisa era muito perceptiva,ela percebia que auela não era a forma habitual de seu pai dizer adeus.Normalmente,Elvis diria:"Button-head,eu estou saindo para trabalhar,o que vc quer que o papai traga na volta pra vc,desta vez?"

"This day was strange, and Lisa knew it. She looked into her daddy's eyes and asked him, 'Are you crying, daddy?"

"Este era um dia estranho e Lisa sabia disso.Ela olhou nos olhos do pai e perguntou:"Vc está chorando ,papai?"

At the point, Elvis flashed Priscilla a look that could kill, then delivered Lisa into her mother's awaiting arms, turned on his heels, walked back into the house, without looking back.

Neste momento,Elvis lançou um olhar para Priscilla que poderia matá-la,e entregou a menina nos braços dela,virou-se e entrou em casa,sem olhar para trás.
"I'd seen that look before in Elvis eyes," says Schilling. "It a look that still sends a chill went down my spine, when I think of it... It's was a look of pain, anger, desperation and hurt."
"Eu já tinha visto aquele olhar de Elvis antes,"diz Schilling."Ainda sinto um arrepio na espinha,quando lembro daquele olhar.....um olhar de dor,raiva,desespero e mágoa."

"For the rest of that day, till about 4 am that night, Elvis closed himself up in his bedroom. He wouldn't eat or take our calls."

"Pelo resto daquele dia,até as 4 da manhã ,Elvis ficou fechado no quarto.Ele não comeu nem atendeu nossos chamados."

"We got very worried. We thought maybe he had knocked myself out with a whole lot of sleeping pills."

"Nós ficamos muito preocupados,pensávamos que ele pudesse dar um fim a vida com todas aquelas pílulas."

"From time to time, Joe and I would sneak up to his bedroom and listen at the door. Once I heard him cursing. Another times I heard him screaming. But mostly we heard Elvis just sobbing."

"De hora em hora ,Joe e eu íamos até seu quarto e ficávamos ouvindo na porta.Uma vez eu o ouvi xingando,outras gritando,mas a maior parte das vezes nós o ouvimos soluçar,chorando..."

Finally, Schilling admitted, "I now know, that day was the beginning of the end for the Elvis I had met."

Finalmente,Schilling admitiu: "Agora eu sei que aquele dia foi o começo do fim do Elvis que eu conheci."

Entrevista com Barbara Leigh - Namorada de Elvis

Barbara Leigh nasceu em Ringgold, na Georgia. Ringgold faz fronteira com Chattanooga, no Tennessee. Aos 19 anos, Barbara e a sua família mudaram-se para Los Angeles, na Califórnia. Foi aí que começou a trabalhar como enfermeira e criou o seu filho. Divorciou-se pouco tempo depois e estabeleceu-se como mãe solteira. O seu primeiro trabalho comercial foi para a Coca-Cola. Participou em mais de uma dezena de filmes e foi convidada em inúmeros programas televisivos. Publicou um livro, intitulado The King, McQueen and The Love Machine (O Rei, McQueen e a Máquina do Amor), onde revela os seus romances com Elvis, McQueen e James Aubrey, o chefe dos estúdios da MGM. Barbara deu uma entrevista para o site ElvisPresleyNews, em que aceitou responder às perguntas bem íntimas de Lea Fryman sobre pormenores relacionados com Elvis entre os lençóis.



Olá, Lea! Muito obrigada pela oportunidade que me dá de responder a estas perguntas para o seu site. Antes de mais, informo que não tenho fotografia nenhuma de Elvis comigo, pois ele era casado na altura e eu era uma estrela em início de carreira. Deste modo, fomos muito cuidadosos em nunca sermos apanhados juntos. Quem me dera ter insistido para tirar pelo menos uma, para meu uso pessoal, mas não fui suficientemente esperta para pedir. E agora, vou responder às suas questões o melhor que posso, pois há algumas um bocadinho difíceis (sorriso).



Como conheceu Elvis?
Conheci-o em Las Vegas com Jim Aubrey, quando este (eu tratava-o por James) me levou para ver o seu espetáculo no Hilton. Fomos convidados até aos bastidores para conhecer o Rei. Jim Aubrey era o presidente dos estúdios da MGM e foi ele quem produziu o filme That’s The Way It Is, uma espécie de documentário com Elvis. Nem podia acreditar que ia conhecê-lo, pois SEMPRE o tinha amado, desde a primeira vez que o tinha visto no Ed Sullivan Show. Acho que andava no 2º. ou no 3º. ano, mas já sabia o suficiente para saber que o homem que estava vendo era especial. Tentei imitar alguns dos seus movimentos, mas fui logo mandada para a cama.

Elvis estava trocando de roupa, por isso, não apareceu logo na sala principal. Sentei-me no meio da sala, a uma mesa redonda, ao lado de Chris Nelson, a mulher de Rick e do Jim Aubrey. A sala tinha muita gente, quase só celebridades e amigos que vieram prestar os seus respeitos ao Rei. O Jim Aubrey e Chris levantaram-se para falar com outras pessoas na sala e deixaram-me sozinha à mesa. Eu tinha as costas viradas para a porta que dava para o quarto onde Elvis estava trocando de roupa. Senti uma presença, virei-me e vi Elvis sentado numa cadeira me olhando diretamente nos olhos. Nunca desviou o olhar, nem sequer para cumprimentar alguém, só olhava para mim, exceto mais tarde, quando James se aproximou e nos interrompeu.

Perguntou como me chamava, fez-me inúmeros elogios e perguntou-me se me podia telefonar. Claro que eu estava absolutamente encantada e disse que sim. Ao mesmo tempo ele entregou-me um lápis muito pequenino e um pedaço de papel por baixo da mesa. Apontei rapidamente o meu número de telefone e devolvi-lhe. Enquanto isso acontecia, as nossas mãos tocaram-se, ele apertou-me a mão e sorriu-me ao mesmo tempo. Senti-me como se um relâmpago me tivesse percorrido todo o corpo.



Senti que se tivesse morrido naquele momento, teria morrido feliz, pois tinha conhecido o Rei e ele tinha-me apertado a mão. Jim Aubrey deve ter sentido a atração entre Elvis e eu e quis que nos fôssemos embora. Nem me queria mexer; precisava que me beliscassem para saber que estava viva, pois parecia estar em transe. Elvis era deslumbrante, o homem MAIS lindo que vi na vida. E quando sorria, todo o mundo se iluminava para mim. Foi cortês com o James e convidou-nos para voltarmos a ir ver o seu espetáculo. Elvis foi e será para SEMPRE o Rei para mim, de todas as formas. A sua amabilidade e amor pelos outros é um legado para todos nós!

Ele partia sempre do pressuposto que uma mulher queria ter sexo com ele?
Acho que o Elvis não era o tipo de homem para pensar que todas as mulheres queriam ter sexo com ele. Se ele quisesse ter sexo com uma mulher, ela apercebia-se bem disso e se o sentimento fosse mútuo, então ele trabalhava nesse sentido. Talvez todas as mulheres que ele conheceu quisessem ter sexo com ele, mas duvido que o tenha feito, pois mais para o final ele não se interessava tanto por sexo, mas mais por religião, ensinar e partilhar os seus pensamentos com quem quer que estivesse disposto a escutá-lo. Adorava fazer o papel do professor, de partilhar o seu saber acumulado dos vários livros preferidos que tinha com os seus alunos.

Ele era sádico ou passivo quando fazia amor?
Como amante, posso dizer com toda a sinceridade que Elvis não era nem sádico nem passivo. Era um homem que fazia amor com a mulher com quem estivesse no momento, e era um amante apaixonado quando o queria ser. Foi o homem que MELHORES BEIJOS me deu na vida.


Era ego maníaco entre os lençóis?
Não sei bem se entendo esta pergunta. Ele era SEMPRE ego maníaco, como qualquer pessoa que estivesse no seu lugar só poderia ser.

Tinha alguma taradice sexual?
Elvis era um amante certinho e nunca experimentei nada de esquisito com ele, nem sequer falava durante o ato sexual. Era um bom rapazinho Sulista que tinha uma moral muito própria que, a meu ver, até se revelava na cama e na forma como fazia amor.

Ele tinha alguma preferência cultural?
Não sei se entendi esta pergunta. Acho que ele gostava de mulheres de raça branca de cabelos escuros, mas nunca falámos nesse assunto, graças a Deus.

Ele tinha alguma parte preferida no corpo de uma mulher?
Acho que aquilo que Elvis mais gostava numa mulher era do rosto. Ele sempre disse que os olhos eram o espelho da alma e eu também acredito nisso. Ele adorava os olhos e disse que uma pessoa podia dizer imenso sobre outra pessoa pelos olhos dela. Fez-me muitos elogios aos meus olhos.

Tinha alguma preferência específica por lingerie?
Amava cuecas brancas. Uma vez contou-me uma história de quando ainda era pequeno e andou à luta com uma rapariga no relvado e lhe viu as cuecas brancas. Para ele ficou a ser um motivo de excitação desde essa altura e amava lingerie e cuecas brancas. Também gostava de camisas de dormir bonitas.



O que fazia ele logo após fazer sexo?
Depois do sexo Elvis era divertido e muito bem humorado. Normalmente ficávamos deitados na cama a conversar, ou com Elvis a exibir os seus novos brinquedos. Era como quase todas as pessoas, carinhoso, amoroso e atencioso. Nunca fumávamos.

Como é que acabou?
Cada um acabou por seguir com as suas vidas, pois a minha agenda não me permitia a liberdade de estar ao seu dispor sempre que me chamava. Com Elvis era tudo uma questão de timing e de disponibilidade quando ele queria ver uma pessoa. Ficamos amigos até ao fim, sempre através do Joe Esposito, que era o intermediário com quase todas as namoradas de Elvis.

Espero que tenha respondido às tuas perguntas. Namorei Elvis em 1970, 1971 e 1972, a partir daí ficámos apenas amigos. A última vez que vi Elvis foi em 1976, em Las Vegas. VIVERÁ PARA SEMPRE NO MEU CORAÇÃO! Beijinhos, Barbara Leigh.

O livro The King, McQueen and the Love Machine estará disponível em http://www.barbaraleigh.com/ (custa 25,00 dólares), onde poderá também comprar algumas fotos autografadas bastante interessantes.

Entrevista com Elvis Presley - 31 de Julho a 01 de Agosto de 1969 (Las Vegas)

Conferência de Imprensa – 31 de Julho a 01 de Agosto de 1969
Local: sala de convenções do International Hotel, Las Vegas
Fonte de Consulta: Livro Elvis Vegas ’69, da autoria de Ken Sharp



Why have you waited so long to perform live again?
We had to finish up the movie commitments before I could start on this.
Porque motivo esperou tanto tempo para voltar a atuar ao vivo?
Tivemos de terminar os compromissos cinematográficos antes de poder começar a fazer isto.

How did it feel being back in front of a live audience after so many years?
Fantastic. I really missed it. I love the live contact with an audience. It was getting harder and harder to perform to a movie camera all day long. The inspiration wasn’t there. I’m tired of playing a guy singing to the guy he’s beating up.
Como foi a sensação de voltar a estar perante um público ao vivo depois de tantos anos?
Fantástica. Sentia mesmo saudades. Eu amo o contato ao vivo com uma audiência. Estava sendo cada vez mais difícil atuar para uma câmara o dia inteiro. A inspiração não estava lá. Estou farto de representar um tipo que canta para o fulano a quem está a bater.

Did you enjoy performing live again?
Yes! This has been one of the most exciting nights of my life.
E gostou de atuar ao vivo outra vez?
Sim! Esta foi uma das noites mais excitantes da minha vida.

Did you feel nervous during the show?
For the first three songs or so, before I loosened up. Then I thought, “What the heck. Get with it, man, or you might be out of a job tomorrow.”
Sentiu-se nervoso durante o espectáculo?
Durante as primeiras três canções, antes de me descontrair. Depois pensei, “Que diabo. Anda lá com isso, homem, ou poderá ficar sem emprego amanhã.”

Were you a little afraid onstage tonight?
Yes, I was at first, until I got going, and then I felt okay. I was nervous and didn’t feel relaxed until Love Me Tender.
Sentiu um pouco de medo sobre o palco esta noite?
Sim, senti medo no início, até começar a cantar, depois senti-me bem. Estava nervoso e não me descontraí até Love Me Tender.



How did you choose the songs for your show?
I just sang my favourites, that’s all.
Como é que escolheu as canções para o seu espetáculo?
Limitei-me a cantar as minhas favoritas, foi só isso.

Do you want to do more live shows?
I want to… I would like to play all over the world. I chose Las Vegas to play first because it is a place people come to from all over.
Quer fazer mais espetáculos ao vivo?
Quero… gostaria de atuar pelo mundo inteiro. Escolhi Las Vegas para atuar primeiro porque é um lugar para onde vêm pessoas de todo o mundo.

Did you like leather jackets like the one you wore on your TV specials?
No. I hate wearing leather jackets because they are too hot to work in.
Gosta de casacos de cour, como aquele que usou nos seus especiais televisivos?
Não. Detesto casacos de couro porque são demasiado quentes para se trabalhar com eles vestidos.

Why did you choose a Negro backing group (The Sweet Inspirations)?
Because they help to give me my feel, my soul.
Porque motivo escolheu um grupo vocal de apoio negro (as Sweet Inspirations)?
Porque elas me ajudam a dar-me o meu sentimento, a minha alma.

Where did you get the idea for your stage outfit?
I got the idea from a karate gi I once had.
De onde tirou a ideia para a sua roupa em palco?
Tirei a ideia de uma roupa de karaté que uma vez tive.

Do you dye your hair?
Sure, because I’ve always done it for the movies.
Pinta o seu cabelo?
Claro, porque sempre o fiz para os filmes.

Why do you dye your hair?
Because it’s gray.
E porque pinta o seu cabelo?
Porque está grisalho.

Why do you choose to record message type songs like In The Ghetto? Are you trying to change your image?
No. Ghetto was such a great song. I just couldn’t pass it up after I’d heard it. There are a lot of new records out now that have the same sound I started but they’re better. I mean, you can’t compare a song like Yesterday with Hound Dog, can you?
Porque escolheu gravar canções com mensagens, tipo In The Ghetto? Está tentando mudar a sua imagem?
Não. Ghetto é uma canção tão boa. Não consegui deixar de gravá-la depois de a ter ouvido. Há muitos discos novos agora que têm o mesmo som com que eu comecei, mas estão melhores. Quer dizer, não se pode comparar uma canção como Yesterday com Hound Dog, pois não?

How do you feel about the Hollywood social scene?
I just don’t go for it. I have nothing against it but I just don’t enjoy it.
Como se sente em relação ao ambiente social de Hollywood?
Não me atrai. Não tenho nada contra, mas simplesmente não gosto.

Why have you led such a secluded life all these years?
It’s not secluded, honey, I’m just sneaky.
Porque motivo levou uma vida tão reclusa durante todos estes anos?
Não foi reclusa, querida, eu é que sou manhoso.



How long did you rehearse for these shows?
I practiced for nearly three months. Today I went through three complete dress rehearsals. This was the fourth time I did that show today. I’m really beat.
Durante quanto tempo ensaiou para estes espetáculos?
Ensaiei durante quase três meses. Hoje fiz 3 ensaios completos. Esta foi a quarta vez que fiz aquele espetáculo só no dia de hoje. Estou estafado.

Can you remember the first time you were in Las Vegas?
Sure, I was 19 years old. Nobody knew me. “Where you from, boy?” they’d ask.
(Note: Elvis was 21 and not 19 when he first performed in Las Vegas, on 23 April 1956, at the New Frontier Hotel).

Lembra-se da primeira vez que esteve em Las Vegas?
Claro, tinha 19 anos. Ninguém me conhecia. “De onde é, rapaz?” perguntavam-me eles.
(Nota: Elvis tinha 21 anos e não 19 quando atuou pela primeira vez em Las Vegas, em 23 de Abril de 1956, no Frontier Hotel).

Will you be back in Las Vegas soon?
Absolutely. I love Las Vegas because it attracts people from all over the world.
Vai regressar a Las Vegas em breve?
Com certeza. Amo Las Vegas porque atrai pessoas de todo o mundo.

Do you have a share in the International Hotel?
No, I have not.
Tem uma quota parte dos rendimentos do International Hotel?
Não, não tenho.

Are you tired of your present type of movies?
Yes. I want to change the type of scripts I have been doing.
Está cansado do tipo atual dos filmes que faz?
Sim. Quero mudar o tipo de papéis que tenho feito.

What kind of scripts do you like?
Something with meaning. I’m going after more serious material. I couldn’t dig always playing the guy who’d get into a fight, beat the guy up, and in the next shot sing to him.
De que tipo de papéis gosta?
Algo que faça sentido. Ando atrás de material mais sério. Não podia gostar sempre de representar o tipo que se mete numa luta, dá cabo do outro e na cena seguinte está cantando para ele.

Do you feel it was a mistake to do so many soundtrack albums?
I think so. When you do ten songs in a movie, they can’t all be good songs.
Acha que foi um erro gravar tantos discos de bandas-sonoras?
Acho que sim. Quando se gravam dez canções para um filme, não podem ser todas boas.

Will you be doing any more movies?
I don’t know. I kinda got tired of beating up guys and then having to sing a song to them, or maybe their horses.
Vai fazer mais filmes?
Não sei. Fartei-me de bater em tipos e depois de cantar para eles, ou para os seus cavalos.

Mr. Presley, I’ve been sent here by Lord Stutch Enterprises to offer you one million pounds sterling to make two appearances at the Wembley Empire Stadium in England. This price will include a documentary that will be filmed during and after the shows. It will only take 24 hours.
You’ll have to ask him about that. (Elvis points to Colonel Parker). Colonel Parker: Make an offer! Cash, not pounds! Just put down the deposit.
Sr. Presley, fui aqui enviado pela Lord Stutch Enterpises para lhe oferecer um milhão de libras esterlinas para fazer duas apresentações no Estádio de Wembley na Inglaterra. Este preço incluirá um documentário que será filmado durante e após os concertos. Só lhe tomará 24 horas.
Terá de falar com ele sobre isso. (Elvis aponta para o Coronel Parker). Coronel Parker: Façam uma oferta! Dinheiro, não libras! Façam o depósito.

How much do you get paid for these performances?
Colonel Parker: We are pleased with the deal. I am glad he is here.
Quanto é que recebe por estas atuações?
Coronel Parker: Estamos satisfeitos com o negócio. Estou feliz por ele estar aqui.

Would you like to appear in England?
I definitely would like to appear in England as we have had so many requests. And it will be soon, as we are now doing live concerts again.
Gostaria de aparecer na Inglaterra?
Gostaria com toda a certeza de aparecer na Inglaterra, pois já tivemos tantos pedidos. E será muito em breve, pois voltamos a atuar ao vivo.

Is there any truth to the rumour that you are getting a slice of the hotel as part of the fee?
Colonel Parker: Certainly not. The only thing we got free were crickets in the room.
Há alguma verdade no rumor que diz que recebe uma parte dos lucros do hotel como pagamento?
Coronel Parker: Com certeza que não. A única coisa que recebemos de graça são os grilos nos quartos.

Have you still got about 10 cars?
I never had that many, only four or five at the most.
Ainda tem cerca de 10 automóveis?
Nunca tive tantos, apenas quatro ou cinco, no máximo.

After all this time you look so young.
I guess I’m just lucky. I really don’t know. I guess one of these days it will catch up with me and I’ll probably fall apart.
Depois de todo este tempo, tem um aspecto tão jovem.
Acho que tenho sorte. Não sei mesmo. Calculo que num destes dias o tempo vai apanhar-me e provavelmente ir-me-ei abaixo.



Have you ever seen England’s top pop singer Cliff Richard?
Yes, I met him in Germany a long time ago.
(Note: Cliff Richard indeed traveled all the way to Germany to meet Elvis, but he was out on maneuvers on that day and Vernon welcomed him instead. Perhaps Elvis was confused when he answered this, because he actually met an impersonator while in Germany).
Alguma vez viu o cantor de topo da pop da Inglaterra, Cliff Richard?
Sim, conheci-o uma vez na Alemanha, há muito tempo.
(Nota: Cliff Richard realmente viajou até à Alemanha para conhecer Elvis, mas este estava fora em manobras e foi Vernon que o recebeu. Talvez Elvis tenha feito confusão quando respondeu isto, visto que na realidade ele conheceu um imitador enquanto estava na Alemanha).

How does it feel to be a father?
Great. I love it!
Que tal é a sensação de ser pai?
Ótima. Eu amo isso!

Do you and Priscilla plan to add to your family?
We’ll have to wait and see.
Você e Priscilla estão planejando aumentar a família?
Teremos de esperar para ver.

How does Priscilla feel about you being such a great sex symbol?
I don’t know… you would have to ask her.
Como é que Priscilla se sente por você ser um símbolo sexual tão imenso?
Não sei… teria de perguntar a ela.

Are you planning to have any more kids?
Yes, we are planning to add to our family. Thank you very much.
Planeja ter mais filhos?
Sim, planejamos aumentar nossa família. Muito obrigado.

Is there any other individual you would rather be?
Are you kidding?
Há alguma outra pessoa que desejasse ser?
Está brincando?

What’s it like to be the Grandfather of rock and roll?
(laughs). I didn’t know that I was.
Que tal é ser o Avô do rock and roll?
(ri-se). Não sabia que era.

Are you doing shows because of the recent success of Tom Jones in cabaret?
No, that’s not the reason. Although I admire Tom Jones very much, and think he’s a great talent. I guess I felt it was time to do live shows because I missed doing them.
Está fazendo concertos por causa do recente sucesso de Tom Jones no cabaré?
Não, não é esse o motivo. Muito embora admire muito Tom Jones, e ache que ele é um talento imenso. Calculo que apenas senti que era tempo de regressar aos concertos ao vivo porque sentia tantas saudades.

I noticed in your repertoire you did some Beatles songs. What do you think of the Beatles and their material?
I admire the Beatles and think they are very good. The lyrics of pop songs are getting better all the time, they have more meaning.
Notei que no seu repertório cantou algumas canções dos Beatles. O que acha dos Beatles e das suas canções?
Admiro os Beatles e acho que são muito bons. As letras das canções pop estão melhorando a todo o instante, agora fazem mais sentido.

When you met the Beatles, why was there no press allowed?
I guess it was because we could relax and talk friendly to each other.
Quando conheceu os Beatles, porque motivo não foi permitida a presença da imprensa?
Penso que tenha apenas sido para nos descontrairmos e falarmos amigavelmente uns com os outros.

Did anyone influence you in your career?
Yes, people like him. (Elvis introduces Fats Domino). This is one of my influences from way back, Fats Domino. Just look at those rings and that diamond watch, aren’t they fabulous?
Alguém influenciou a sua carreira?
Sim, pessoas como ele. (Elvis apresenta Fats Domino). Este aqui é uma das minhas influências dos primeiros tempos, Fats Domino. Olhem só para aqueles anéis e relógio de diamante, não são fabulosos?

Interview with Elvis Presley + Review of Elvis in concert July 31, 1969

This is the review of Elvis' first concert at the International Hotel on July 31, 1969.

It was written by Ray Connelly and originally published in the London Evening Standard August 2, 1969. Included with the review is an exciting interview with The King, again by Ray Connelly.

Review of Elvis In Concert - July 31, 1969

For a reputed fee of £225,000 the god of rock and roll returned to the stage in a blaze of advertising at the brand new International Hotel in this hot and lunatic town of Las Vegas. I've already seen the show three times and I can tell you he is sensational - better than any of us could ever have imagined.

Elvis Presley July 31, 1969 International Hotel, Las Vegas

Twice nightly for 28 days he will be appearing for the rich and their womenfolk. 'It is, 'he says, 'the most exciting thing I've done in years'. But it was the first appearance on the first night that had all the drama.

He was out of this world, better by far than I - always the greatest Presley fan in world - could possibly have hoped for, and a lesson in himself to the entertainment media of our generation.

For a full hour he worked and sweated, gyrated and shuddered, warbled and sang, and grunted and groaned his way through 20 songs. It was a sensational comeback.

Looking as slim as a ramrod, and not a day over 23 (he's actually 34 now), he ambled back on to the stage after a nine year absence like a sheepish young lad going to meet his girl friend's parents for the first time. Hardly daring to look or acknowledge the audience,which was composed mainly of over-30's, since young people could never normally afford the price, he went straight into Blue Suede Shoes, and had completed I Got A Women and That's All Right Mama before finding it necessary to begin any chatting.

For over an hour he flogged himself to near exhaustion moving wildly and sexily around the stage all the time, and now and again reaching for a handkerchief or a glove from the ecstatic and many-splendoured ladies in the front row. Although his early fans are grown up and mothers themselves now, Elvis has remained the boy from the South - awkward, shy, full of evil promise and a dynamic performer.

As backing, a group of girl singers, the Sweet Inspirations, joined with the Imperials to add strength to an outstanding six-man group on electric piano, drums, bass and three guitars.

Elvis Presley 1969 International Hotel, Las Vegas

The balancing of combo was perfect, and there was little need for the full 30-piece orchestra which helped out occasionally on some of the ballads like Love Me Tender and Can't Help Falling In Love (With You) and Yesterday.

It is difficult to describe the exact appeal of the man. True he is a great and rhythmic singer, but there's something more. His perfect looks and style add a charisma that is magnetic.

Having seen his show it is easier now to understand how became the legend that he is in pop music.

Surprisingly the biggest applause of the night, and it was generous always, came of a brand-new song called Suspicious Minds - his next record and almost certainly 51st million seller.

While his act is concentrated mainly on a selection of his own many hits he also found time to include some great versions of Ray Charles's I Can't Stop Loving You and Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode.

It was indeed a memorable night. The night when Elvis Presley, the founder of much of modern day pop music, discovered that he is still one of greatest performers and went back to doing what he always did best.

Interview with Elvis Presley - July 31, 1969

Getting to interview Elvis was a much more complex task than getting to see him - since the International Hotel anxious for lots of publicity during its first few weeks of business was being particularly generous to journalists who had flocked from all parts of world to see if Presley was as exciting as his memory.

Immediately after his first show he gave a Press conference, guarded carefully by the Colonel, and during which he was only once thrown when someone asked him why he always dyed his hair ('I guess it's something I've always done . . . I guess', he said). But after three days and nights of refusing to let me see his star, the Colonel finally changed his mind (as I'd been told he would) and gave me five minutes to get ready.

We were in between shows and suddenly I was ushered backstage past the guards and into his dressing room. I'd have to make it quick, said the Colonel. An hour later I was back in my room telephoning this article over for the first edition of my paper the following morning.

Elvis Presley 1969 - Backstage The International Hotel, Las Vegas

'Sometimes when I walk into a room at home and see all those gold records hanging around the walls I think they must belong to another person. Not me. I just can't believe it's me' - Elvis Presley.

This is the legend himself talking. The man who virtually started the rock and roll group as we know it today. The man who changed the course of pop music, and in so doing helped to change the course of social history.

Because that, and exactly that, has been the influence of Elvis Presley - the boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, who has probably had more hit records than anyone else in the world. (At the last count it was well over 70 - with 50 of those selling more than a million copies.)

Getting through to Presley is practically impossible. security guards with guns and walkie-talkie sets shadow him day and night, and it took an interminable amount dealing with his extremely canny manager, Colonel Tom Parker, to be given the VIP treatment and meet the man they created into a legend.

And when one gets through how does one speak to a legend?

Elvis Presley 1969 - Backstage The International Hotel, Las Vegas

He's sprawling on a red Spanish settee in the sitting room of his back-stage suite, sipping a soft drink from a bottle. The walls are plastered with telegrams (including one from the Beatles).

He's wearing the black karate-style suit designed for his season at the hotel, and his hair, dyed pitch-black as always, is swept back off his face in the style he created 14 years ago. His sideboards are now very long and spiked again, and are also jet-black.

He is incredibly handsome, with possibly the best film profile since Rudolph Valentino. Fittingly enough, he would pass for a stereotyped Las Vegas gambler in a movie. But, he says, he never gambles himself.

Still the Southern gentleman, he rises to greet me with an almost athletic enthusiasm, then rubs his great wide rings which are virtually clustered with diamonds against a silver wrist bracelet bearing his name. he looks ever so slightly nervous. The room is scattered with aides and friends. There are no women present. Priscilla Presley, the Memphis girl Elvis married two years ago, is up in the 30th floor penthouse suite. Baby Lisa, 18 months old, is at one of their homes in California.

The Colonel watches his creation like a benign mother, only interrupting when money arises. There is a story, it may be a myth, that says he takes 50 per cent of what Elvis earns. If that is true, he must be a multi-multi-millionaire by now and worth every penny of it to Presley.

'We didn't decide to come back here for the money, I'll tell you that', laughed Elvis, at such an absurd prospect, for after all, what's another £225,000 to him? 'I've always wanted to perform on the stage again for the last nine years, and it's been building up inside of me since 1965 until the strain became intolerable. I got all hyped up about it, and I don't think I could have left it much longer'. 'The time is just right. The money - I have no idea at all about that. I just don't want to know. You can stuff it'.

He laughs, and throws his head back, showing all those perfectly-kept teeth, and striking me with the smallness of his eyes and the exaggerated length of his eyelashes.

'Can we just say this', says the Colonel, all homespun, folksy humour. 'The Colonel has nothing to do with Mr. Presley's finances. That's all done for him by his father, Mr. Vernon Presley, and his accountant'.

Mr. Presley, Snr., a fatter and greyer version of his son, if ever saw one, nods at the formal third person way of speaking and takes another beer from the bar. 'He can flush all his money away if he wants to. I won't care', the Colonel adds. the humour easy, and good-natured - country style, if you like.

'We've now completed all the deals I made when I came out of the army in 1960', he says, almost apologetically. 'And from now on, I'm going to play more serious parts and make fewer films.

'I wouldn't be being honest with you if I said I wasn't ashamed of some of the movies, and the songs I've had to sing in them. I would like to say they were good, but I can't. I've been extremely unhappy with that side of my career for some time. But how can you find 12 good songs for every film when you're making three films a year? I knew a lot of them were bad songs and they used to bother the heck out of me.

But I had to do them. They fitted the situation'.

'I get more pleasure out of performing to an audience like tonight, than any of the film songs have given me. How can you enjoy it when you have to sing songs to the guy you've just punched up?'

And there's more laughter - the black calf-high cowboy boots he wears being swiveled up and around on to the table in front of him. 'How do you combine marriage and show business?' I asked. He pauses and smiles: 'Very carefully - just very carefully'. 'Did your wife object to you returning to being a sex symbol?'

'No. We plan a big family. When you're married you become aware of realities.

Becoming a father made me realise a great deal more about life'.

But marriage hadn't reduced the sexiness of his act. His left knee still trembles when he sings, his guitar still becomes a sort of phallic tommy-gun, while with the microphone he appears to simulate an act of rape.

And then there are his off-the-cuff on-stage comments which are full of ambiguities.

'Don't pull my cord, lady', he asks, as a fan reaches for the microphone lead.

On the first night of his performance a woman in the audience began stripping, overcome by the excitement.

Another took off her panties to mop the sweat from his brow.

He gratefully accepted them, his face in the frills and tossed them back. After the show young women climbed up on to stage to neck with their idol as the curtains fell.

It was this threat of sexuality which 14 years ago prompted clergymen to call for his banning and imprisonment, and won him title of Elvis the Pelvis. In those days his hip-jerking was considered total obscenity. His clothes were of gold, like his Cadillacs, and his image was one of unchained anti-respectful youth.

If you want to go any way at all towards understanding the music and corresponding sub-cultures of the under-30s, you have to know about Elvis Presley. He was the beginning of the rock generation. And after the startling impact he made in 1956, nothing could ever be the same again.

In England the fans have been particularly avid. 'I don't know why they've been so loyal', he says. 'They've really been fantastic to me. I still can't believe all the letters that come in after all this time'.

'I know I've been saying for years that I must visit Britain, and I will, I promise. But at the moment there are personal reasons why I can't. I shall be doing more shows in America now, though. I'm very satisfied with the reaction I've had here. It's been tremendously satisfying. That's what the business is all about for me. There will be films, too, but of a more serious nature. And I'll be making another television show for NBC'.

He's thinner now than he's been for years and the workout he does every night on stage is bringing his weight down even more. He looks like a man in his early twenties.

'I don't understand it', he said, in his slow deep drawl. 'People keep telling me I look young. I don't know how I do it, either. I got very heavy at one time when I was in all those movies, but I lose it quickly, you know'.

He is unbelievably friendly and unaffected. Once the barrier is broken down you won't find a legend, just an ordinary, helpful, warm and co-operative young man. He tries hard to answer the questions, but is floored when I asked him to name someone he'd rather be.

'I can't', he says.

He's also a shy man. He has few friends in show business - Tom Jones being the closest to him by a mile.

'I guess I'm just a boy from the South and I've never been connected with show people.

I have my own friends'.

But he remembers well the meeting he had with the Beatles during Beatle mania, and particularly their road manager, Mal Evans. 'I've recorded Hey Jude', he says. 'They're are so interesting and so experimental. But I liked them particularly when they used to sing She Was Just Seventeen. You Know What I Mean' - and he sings, and plays an imaginary guitar, Lennon-style.

'Did you see the telegram they sent me?' You can see Elvis Presley is very proud.

The pop world has changed overnight with the reappearance of the man they know the King. Mark my words - He's going to be immense all over again'.

By Ray Connelly and originally published in the London Evening Standard August the 2. 1969

Interview with Elvis Presley: The February 1970 Press Conference

The Houston Astrodome was chosen by Colonel Parker to be the first venue for Elvis to perform outside Las Vegas. This was done for several reasons, but none of them was because the place was suitable for a show of the kind Elvis held. 'The Dome' was an enormous hall, built in 1965, the least of its functions being for concerts. Parker was possibly unsure of Elvis' status in the wider world - performing in Las Vegas was something quite different from performing in venues which could seat far larger audiences. The rodeo show at 'The Dome' always attracted thousands of people no matter what...

After the concluding show Elvis held a press conference for about 100 journalists at Astroworld.

He declared that he got a big thrill out of the appearance in 'The Dome'.

Elvis checked out of Astroworld wearing a blue Easy Rider-inspired suede jacket and black trousers, taking with him 20 suitcases and 3 guitars - $1.2 million richer than 3 days earlier.

Q: What made you decide to come to Texas?

Elvis: Well, to tell you the truth, I started out here in Texas. I think the first shows that I worked was down here, around Houston, and all over Texas.

Q: Do you remember what locations you worked here in Texas?

Elvis: Well, I worked Houston, worked Corpus Christi, every little town here… Long View, man, you name it, I've been there, really.

Q: What do you think of Texas?

Elvis: I like it, I like it… really enjoy it.

Q: Elvis, can you give us, I understand with all the big engagements, like Las Vegas, etc… the reason why you selected the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo this year?

Elvis: Well, uh… they asked me to do it and I was anxious to do some live appearances, you know. I haven't… it had been a long time since I'd been on stage in front of anybody live and I was anxious to do some live appearances and I thought it would be a good opportunity to get in front of the people.

Q: You ever seen the inside of the Dome before?

Elvis: Never have. It scares the (laughs)… it's a big place, man, you know.

Q: You've been known as the King of Rock'n'Roll. Do you think your style has changed now from the days when you were King or do you consider that's still your style?

Elvis: I think the overall thing has improved.

The overall sound has improved, I mean, I think it… it's according to the songs, you know.

It's just according to the songs.

Q: Is your stage presentation still the same way it was or have you improved on that?

Elvis: Well, I just do whatever I feel on stage, you know, I always did that.


Q: Are you going to keep making films?

Elvis: Hope to. (Laughter) Well, I'd like to make better films and…

Q: What do you mean by better?

Elvis: Better than the ones I made before.

Q: I mean, playing general types, westerns, or romances.

Elvis: (Coughs) Excuse me. I can't take this fresh air, man. I'm used to the garbage can at the International Hotel, man. (Laughter) If I can't smell some garbage, I don't feel at home, man, I tell you. (Coughs)

Q: Do you have any films in the making right now or any planned?

Elvis: No, there's nothing as far as I know, is there Colonel? Anything in the workings?

Colonel Parker: No I can't predict myself.

Elvis: An 8mm Walt Disney Special we're doing next year, I think… I don't know.

There's nothing as far as I know, no.

Q: When you look at your opportunity, what will you do to try to fill up the Astrodome?

Elvis: Well, it'll be the type of stuff that I do. It's a mixture of things, you know. It's a little rock and a little country and western stuff…

Q: Essentially the same stuff that you did at the International Hotel?

Elvis: Yeah, it the same type of thing.

A lot of different type of songs, so I just hope I can put on a good show, mainly.

Q: Whatever happened to the Jordanaires?

Elvis: Can't get them out of Nashville, man. They got stuck in Nashville and they make so much money and they do so well in Nashville, you can't get them out of there, you know.

Q: Do you have any thoughts about the rising interest in country music?

Elvis: I think it's fantastic. You see, country music was always a part of the influence on my type of music anyway. It's a combination of country music, gospel, and rhythm and blues. It's all combined, is what it really was. As a child, I was influenced by all of that.

Q: Do you consider yourself basically a country music singer then?

Elvis: I would hate to say strictly country because of the fact that I liked all different types of music when I was a child, you know. Of course, the Grand Ole Opry was the first thing I ever heard, probably, but I liked the blues and I liked the gospel music, gospel quartets, and all that.

Q: Do you ever pull out any of those old records on the Sun label and listen to them at all?

Elvis: They sound funny boy. (Laughing) They got a lot of echo on them, man, I'll tell you. But that's what I mean, I think the overall sound has improved today, you know.

Q: Well, do you think there's more gimmicks today than there were, say fifteen years ago?

Elvis: Well, there's probably more gimmicks, but I think that the engineers have improved and I think that the techniques have improved, of overall recording.

Q: Consideration… further revaluation of your career to get you back in front of live audiences again. In other words, you were available to the public only in your films for a long period of time.

Elvis: I think the most important thing is the inspiration that I got from a live audience. I was missing that.

I didn't…

Q: Was it rough at the International? Was it a little bit of a strain on you after not being on programs?

Elvis: It was always terrible. I enjoyed it. Like, I know I'm going to enjoy it here because it's a live audience and it makes a world of difference.

Q: Let me ask you one thing. What's your father up to these days?

Elvis: He's around here somewhere… Ask him, I don't know Daddy, what are you up to?

Colonel Parker: Mr Presley… Mr Presley? Want you to meet Elvis' father, Mr Vernon Presley.

Q: Could he come right up here and sit down?

Elvis: (Coughs) It's this fresh air, man.

Q: Elvis, there's quite an evidence of sartorial splendour. Does this indicate that the…

Elvis: What? What?

Q: The attire is not one that we're familiar seeing.

Elvis: It was taken from a karate suit, just a regular karate type outfit. (Siren in background) Are they coming to get me? Is that it? (Laughter).

Q: I mean, does this indicate that with your type dress and everything now that you're changing a little bit of style perhaps, in deference to what you did a few years ago?

Elvis: I don't know. I think that you'd have to see the show, you know. It's difficult to tell. I don't feel any different, you know. I don't think the dress has that much to do with it, I got the idea from a karate suit cause I studied karate for a long time and I had them make up a couple of suits like it.

Q: What do you do for relaxation? You said you studied…

Elvis: Karate! If you can relax doing this (Does a few karate chops in the air) I don't know, I read a lot and go horseback riding, and stuff like that.

Q: Do you still live principally in ah…

Elvis: Memphis! About half of the time, about half of the time there and half of the time in LA.

Q: In that show you have planned for the Dome, do you plan any of the old, old songs, some of the first ones?

Elvis: I'd like to, you know…

Q: Any special ones?

Elvis … Try a couple of them, just to see if they work. I hope I can give them a good show, that's the most important thing… if I can give them a good show then I'll feel like I've done something.

Q: What is the biggest live crowd you've ever performed for?

Elvis: If I am not mistaken, it was Vancouver in Canada, wasn't it Colonel?

Colonel Tom Parker: The Cotton Bowl

Elvis: The Cotton Bowl in Dallas. It was about 25,000 I guess, something like that. I think

Interviews By Scott Jenkins