Sonny West was a bad ass dude I did see a small clip of him doing some karate ,man he did look powerful . Elvis put these guys Through hell man, he was like a big kid w/unlimited money that was out of control no way to stop until he finally did.
I understand why Red, Sonny etc..are bitter & upset. Look at it this way, when you work for a company, let's say for 20 or so years and one day you're called into your Boss' office and he or she tells you're no longer needed; call it fired/laidoff whatever, you would be slightly pissed off. As with Elvis's aides, this is all they knew as some have known Elvis since High School. What else can they do? Again, they were educated by Elvis and knew nothing else. I understand the bias towards Elvis.
@gowestward1 But they were not working for 'a company', they were 'working' for a friend, a friend who had kept them very nicely since they were kids. If he hadn't, rest assured they would have left years earlier, they would have been fools not to. I agree they had to look after themselves but this was a pretty shitty way to do it. Not sure I would say they were educated by Elvis.
Screw you Red and Sonny West! Those 2 should be ashamed by puting Elvis' personal thoughts and secrets about him. I will never read that book. Those 2 are horrible people.
@elvis4ever1935 How can you make a call on a book and the authors without reading it? There were three by the way, along with a ghost writer, that ambulance chaser Dunleavy. Great to have passion for Elvis but sadly you can't whitewash everything about the man. He was human and made mistakes, tragically he made some dreadful lifestyle choices and they obviously contributed to his death at such a young age and what seemed a pretty sad existence in his later years.
If elvis was forced to face his demons he may have not come to such a tragic end i think these boys were tryin to help to make him face the realities of what he had become what he had and what he lost maybe elvis should of remembered all they had done for him money doesnt buy everything and elvis was at the time living proof of that!
elvis was in bad financial shape what with the divorce and settlement
and he fired three bodyguards...some of their actions at concerts resulted in lawsuits too. elvis was going to fire some more of the memphis mafia.
if you look at the day he died..he had been off from touring for six weeks and had lost a few pounds,but the book had come out and he was leaving the next day to face his fans for the first time after the slander book was released. he could not sleep and he by mistake overdosed!
Definition of the word "friend" - One who brags about your strength's and defends your weakness's. These guys were bitter, money hungry and obviously victims of amnesia, forgetting ALL that Elvis did for them and their family's. Elvis was said to not care about what their book might do to his image but what his daughter would think if she ever read it. Crazy how these guys are still to this day haunted by this disloyal act.
@TheeUprising so true they never remember ALL that Elvis did for them and their families! May their conscience judge them in the presence of his eternal Almighty Truth! Elvis was the last man they should have attacked!
As an Elvis fan and impersonator i think they could have written a book..but without all the personal negative info...a book that still would have sold and made money..so i think it was in poor taste and it did not help him,but contributed to his final decline.
I blame his dad or close relatives for not admitting him to treatment by force...which was the only way to save Elvis. People were afraid to say no to Elvis.
The Colonel was working against Elvis to feed his enormous gambling habit.
@MrSpringtime22 oh so u wanna dumped the drug culture on Elvis the scapegoat aight! Elvis had a doctor who was taking care of him! If the ppl wanna use illegal drugs that is their own problem Elvis was using prescribe meds just like you, me and everyone else! Don't go make it look like Elvis was doin something illegal! Elvis should have dumped these guys along time ago..rotting ppl!
I have this book and I have read it a million times from front to back and I do not blame these guys one bit, I come from a very long historical line of addicts and alcoholics including my father and 5 older siblings-and I agree with the saying:"How Do You Protect A Man From Himself?" They were just trying to help someone that was so far in denial about his addiction that this was the only way they felt they could get his attention and perhaps get him some help,but it was already too late.
I still have the book.. big grown men crying just because they got laid off work those around him had a great life,lived like kings,ate like kings and stayed in the best hotels all expenses paid Joe Esposito{he was loyal like Jerry Schilling}} admitted that.
@195477 Ha!May want to look at why they called him "Diamond Joe".Joe was a rat for the colonel,anyone will tell you that.He was about to be fired when Elvis died.And Jerry,please he'll say he was he bff but he wasn't.Elvis thought there was something going on b't Jerry and Priscilla.I was so mad about this book at first but they are not to blame,Elvis was.Red stood up for Elvis back in highschool man!You can't treat ppl like that,it isn't right.TCB though!!!
Two great scoundrels. They had all the confidence of Elvis, who treated them as his brothers. However, these villains have betrayed Elvis. It's unbelievable that they continue making money talking about Elvis. (If I remember correctly, Red West died)
@urbanocity The TRUTH: the King who was getting ready to go on tour wardrobe being packed and flying out that evening suddenly (like Jackson) gets found dead, fell off the toilet with his tongue half bitten off!
Elvis's face was swollen and purplish, the tongue was discolored and sticking out of his mouth, the eyeballs were blood red. Elvis was strangled to death while on the toilet by those around him who knew he had bowels trouble! All I can say is that The King had some envious friends!
Elvis was doomed by 1977 no matter what. Many years of uppers and downers as well as an inherited twisted colon had virtually shut down his large intestine and severely damaged his liver, thus the bloating and pain he was increasingly experiencing. I wonder if Red and Sonny West went to the funeral, I think it was unlikely they would have been invited.
i just read the book i wasnt there so who knows if every thing is true we all no about the pills i think they did love elvis they were with elvis since 1955 they were hurt about being let go but what they did with the book really hurt elvis sonny has anthor book called elvis still taken care of busnies
only a sycophantic elvis fan so enslaved by the dead man's seduction can deny that these guys who had for years been loyal employees of elvis were wrong in writing an honest if slightly mordant book about the man
These guys are turn coats... How would you like to be in the same foxhole with these two... Elvis was a Man... They don't cry for Elvis, they cry for themselfs. I remember seeing this press release... they make me sick...
Anyone notice that Red is NOT at this press conference?? That is because there was no more reason for the book after August 16, 1977. He's stated that Many times since August 16, 1977. It was game over as far as he was concerned....
I say this much, as I love Elvis Presley he did this to himself don't burn bridges with people, that book was the only way to get to him elvis wanted nobody to help him if you tried like red did in vegas you got fired or a gun pulled on you Lets face facts elvis was an addict and like most addicts you didn't want to admit you have a problem so desprerate times call for desprerate measures hey im a elvis fan but a spade is a spade
This is how you get a guy to look at himself and say oh shit what´am i doing to myself by destroying him in 70% of the book andsaying great tings about him in 30% of the Book maybe they should have just said the truth we wanted to destroy taht Mother Fucker foe getting rid of us and tell his fans what he wanted to hide from them and oh the money they paid us that to fot writing the book. The truth is always the best Boys.
It's called co-dependence. I think they were trying to help themselves as much as they were trying to help Elvis. Bringing him down would have ended their meal ticket anyway. So what's the point? I respect their integrity.
i didnt want to believe elvis was an addict but he was. if u watch elvis last days then u will know the truth. he was an addict. but my question was y was he never stopped,y did nobody really put the effort into stopping,y did the police never get involved. there are so many ways they could have stopped him but y didnt they.
I'm not even sure Elvis knew he was an addict. He got the meds by prescription from his doctor, who (if I remember right) lost his license for doing the same thing to many of his clients.
That's correct Originally Dr Nick was brought up on charges of over prescribing to Elvis & 14 people including Jerry Lee Lewis who also almost died, & got off on all by using the excuses doctors use until caught again in '95 when he lost his license. In the last years Elvis was getting the heavy pain meds like Dilaudid & Demerol plus hit after hit of sleeping meds. There was an old show on YT about this & one with Dr Nick saying Elvis's meds were administered on a schedule that were removed! .
Bassaholics123 As said, Elvis's drugs were legal so they couldn't have him arrested, but somebody should have spoken up sooner about what was happening to Elvis. There were women who left who say they didn't want to see him die! If they knew he was dying, they are guilty of not speaking up! Most of the original Memphis Mafia guys were no longer around when Elvis died however.
I love Elvis but I think that maybe they got a rougher ride that they deserved. Sonny was honest when he said that they wrote the book out of bitterness and hurt. I think they did care for Elvis and obviously enjoyed what he gave them. Remember they were just poor boys from Memphis too and way out of their depth when it came to dealing with a highly strung addict like Elvis. I think they did regret writing it and have tried in their own way to make up for it.
im sure they wrote this book after been sore from been fired,they where nothing but hangers on,where they ever asked in recent interviews how did it feel to write this book?...
Elvis wasn't abusive. He had a temper and yelled and raged at times, but I never heard of him beating the crap out of somebody or actually pulling the trigger. Maybe that would have been abusive--maybe just self defense!
They weren't saying Elvis was an abusive boss. They talked about his temper some, but they were talking mostly about the drugs and Elvis's womanizing. I always thought everybody knew about all the women, but apparently not. A good interview from today with Red and Sonny is on YT at Memphis Mafia Remembers. The instance of Elvis firing his gun into the ceiling in Vegas is made funny--not some big deal.They also talk about Ann Margret saying it was a "toss up," but actually she was the One!
No matter how one looks at it, Elvis' bodyguards made a huge mistake by writing that book. That book was supposedly written in order to help "save Elvis from himself, but all it did was break his heart. Elvis may have been a jerk at times to his employees, but that doesn't excuse his bodyguards opening up a can of worms and slandering the man.
Red went to hollywood and got some acting gig's Dave hebler went back to teaching karate, sonny went to california and got some work. it's not like they were left homeless and out of work. they were to be well taken care of,but vernon didn't do has his son requested.
I agree to an extent because I think these guys have been degraded by Elvis fans over the years. They say they" betrayed" Elvis, but somebody should have spoken up about what was happening to Elvis sooner. Keeping quiet helped kill him Elvis didn't do it to himself though. He had become a MEDICAL addict by the work of a doctor and enablers. Elvis supposedly told his dad to tell them they would be hired back and give them $5,000 each, but his dad didn't do it.
Not that I'm denigrating any of these guys, but I'm just saying they weren't saints either! Most of them gained by their association with Elvis: cars, motorcycles, etc, meeting famous people and living a life they wouldn't have, those with the goods had doors opened, and don't forget all the beautiful women they got that fell off Elvis! LOL If they didn't like the way they were treated, they could have left anytime! "tamponhouse" isn't keeping your enemies closer TWO FACED?
serves Elvis right you cant treat peopple like crap then fire them these people looked after him for years waited on him hand and foot laughed at jokes ( even when they werent funny)
Be honest what would you do I would probably do the same thing it's just a normal reaction.
You don't just discard someone who knows everything about you on a whim.
I know I sound like a prick though Im just being honest.I think Elvis got away with way too much.
@tamponhouse ask yourself does it sound right to do these things without sounding like they were using him? I heard some of them were stealing his prescriptions and using them and selling them. I am not saying Elvis was a saint, I am just saying these guys were just as guilty of doing the same things they complained Elvis was doing.
@tamponhouse hey i totally agree with you cause ive been in situtaions like that (not the ass-kissing or anything like that ) but being around and addict and there enablers i love elvis the performer he so like a genuine person overall but that addiction can be a killer and he was ass and did get away with things, true friends would tell you ,you got a problem and i dont blame them one bit they had no choice
If their intentions were so damn good why did they write the book and bring the addiction up after they were fired? The timing is ohhh so slightly suspicious. Why the sudden need to tell the world about the addiction? Frigon pricks if you ask me.
You're right they should have done it before, and he admits part of it was out of bitterness and hurt at being fired. There are people throughout however who could have spoken up, but didn't. People today saying Elvis was "betrayed "wouldn't have spoken up either if they had been there. Some people like Linda and others have said they KNEW Elvis was dying, but walked out without saying anything. Others have bragged about KNOWING he was addicted yet either did nothing or actually helped.!
Well, of course because any addiction hijacks the survival mechanism of the brain which then tells the body it needs that substance to survive. These guys said part of their motivation was because they were angry, but I believe they were trying to wake him up also. Dr. Nick was giving Elvis an average of 25 heavy pain meds like Dilaudid and Demerol a day, and they are highly addicitve! I had a video on my channel talking about this, and I explain how it was deliberately removed!
They tried to do an intervention on Elvis and got fired for that. Back then addiction was the 500lb gorilla in the room that everyone saw but no one talked about. Elvis killed himself by abusing pain meds .He knew he was doing it to himself , he just choose to ignore that reality just like all addicts do.
"How do you protect a man from himself?" You do something similar to what these guys did, but without a sensationalist writer. Tom Jones said last year that the bodyguards Red and Sonny came to him and asked him to call Elvis and try to help him, but Tom could never get a call through. People have stated they KNEW Elvis was addicted and might die, but they either kept getting the drugs to him, didn't speak up, or some left quietly knowing he wouldn't survive.This is ENABLING, and possible crime
The audio is not Elvis, but an impersonator. The footage is from a docudrama called "This is Elvis" in which real footage is mixed with acted footage. The press conference is real, but Elvis never actually said these things--it is someone's idea of what he might of been thinking.
That's not Elvis talking, but an impersonator. This was part of an actual press conference shown in the docudrama "This is Elvis" Elvis never actually said this. It is someone's opinion of what he might be thinking.
Elvis is not killed by these guys, Elvis is killed by fuckin Larry Geller the guru with his shit talk! Elvis believe this shit! And he wants to meet god! He died of self-destruction, helped by that dick talk of Larry fuckin geller the guru!!
Elvis is not killed by these guys, Elvis is killed by fuckin Larry Geller the guru with his shit talk! Elvis believe this shit! And he wants to god! Elvis died of self-destruction,helped by that dick talk of Larry fuckin Geller the guru!
I agree that someone should have SPOKEN OUT SOONER, but I totally disagree that Elvis killed Elvis. If you're talking about because he didn't quit, a person who becomes addicted to heavy pain meds can NOT quit without help and strong intervention Like we are still seeing with stars Elvis was surrounded by ENABLERS who enabled by not speaking up to protect his image and theirs jobs, and by pampering and catering.This goes into ABUSE for those who obtained, picked up, or administered his drugs!!
@shigsho Elvis and Michael Jackson were both being used by the Masonic fraternal order that controls everything and they both died suddenly when they were preparing for their tours! Both killed by their doctors that were assigned to them by the same Masonic Fraternal Order of Freemasons! Then they throw the public bullshit to chew up cuz they know we are stupid enough and would believe any or everything they tell us
@shigsho yeah attack him in public! these mutha fuckas were jealous s.o.bs! Elvis was taking badass drugs because he didn't have health issues he was just takin em because he was all health and in good condition! Elvis the man had pressures these guys did not understand these mutha-fuckas were havin a good time using illegal crap! Jealous assholes who strangled Elvis to death!
@shigsho we now know that they all took prescrition drugs, they should have helped him to get out of it and write about their success in being his real friends
Why can't people figure out that Elvis got rid of the bodyguards who tried to keep drugs from getting in. Sadly Elvis wanted the drugs and let go the only bodyguards who tried to stop the junk from getting to him. Elvis was sick of hearing how he should get off drugs. The West cousins and Hebler are okay in my book.
Elvis was a grown man who made his own decisions. What this boys tell about Elvis is sad but it is the truth! 32 years after we'll know that the boys tell no lies.
I think its so patronising to Elvis, that many Elvis fans somehow make him out to be a victim.
When a person becomes addicted, it takes over the survival part of the brain which then tells the body it needs this substance for survival. A person does NOT DECIDE they will become addicted, but once they are addicted, needing help in overcoming that addiction does NOT SHOW WEAKNESS! Elvis was a strong man, but he was also the victim of the doctors, and the enablers around him! He was not a victim of Priscilla as some say because she hadn't been around in years!
if they had just waited elvis would have taken them back red was a genuine guy i know he loved E 2009 and were still talking about him enough said rip my darling elvis
@kimmypie88 great comment except theres these things called punctuation marks.. they make reading alot easier.. i know it sounds crazy but you should look into it sometime
Sonny was crackers. He's much better today. Dave....man, what's the deal with him? Was he so very important to Elvis' organization?
Red's betrayal was a big disapointment. He should have hung in there with Elvis. Elvis always pulled himslef together after a long while. That is just a fact of Presley's life. He probably would have cleaned up. The idea of weakening the pills may have led Elvis to overdose.
Uppers, downers, man, that's nothing compaired to what today's kids take!
goddamn col parker killed elvis's hopes when he said no to elvis about him acting in the remake movie a star is born. these men are guilty of trying to protect a self destructive man who simply gave up. rest in peace elvis! we love you so much.
Some say Elvis didn't want to do A Star is Born. Elvis chose to take drugs and HE alone is to blame for what he did to HIMSELF. He was and is my favorite but he had a weakness.
Why they wrote the book. 1. They were pissed- off. 2. They needed the money maybe three or 4 they wanted to help Elvis.
1st they themselves used and were on drugs as well as Elvis.
Next this book didnt help Elvis it distracted him and pushed him further into the downward spiral he was headed into. He felt hurt and betrayed by them. One reason they got fired is because they were hot heads costing Elvis tons of money in Lawsuits against their irresponsible behavior. I love Elvis no matter what.
I also read this book, and I thought that the essence of this book was simple; Elvis came across as an intensely lonely man, dreading middle age. Those "shocking" stories were really not that shocking. The main problem for Elvis was that he was considered other-worldly; he was not "supposed" to be normal. What loneliness he must have felt. For a quarter of a century he lived in a "glass-bowl". Think about it; he made THREE TV-appearances from 60-77, and hardly ever did press conferences.
I read 'Elvis: What Happened' not long after Elvis died very sad, much of it difficult to believe.
A more interesting read was one released years later called 'Elvis: What Really happened. By a former D.A who attempted to find the real cause of Elvis' death. It gave a more even handed account of these guys and the others in Elvis' inner circle, many of them the author interviewed. Only Linda Thompson came out as a decent person who truly cared about him.
Hi babeofelvis. Sure the guys took drugs BUT Elvis simply took too many. The other guys never took it to the level Elvis did. Drugs take lives away just Like Sonny is saying here. Elvis was a man who made poor choices. Sad but true.
All the houses, cars and money he gave them and when the well ran dry they all knifed him in the back. Elvis was on the verge on financial ruin. Though he was a draw for shows it was too much a toll. 2 shows a night in vegas the constant tours the weight gain and drugs. The guy just needed someone to tell him it was going to be alright not, screw you man you fired us now were gonna screw you! In the 70's once you hit the 40's you were considered done not like today! RIP Elvis too soon you left!
Thats why I'm into natural medicene's.While I do believe perscription drugs are great for life and death situations most are poisons in my opinion when it comes to standard health.I was 6 different anti depressants for 9 years and I only got worse.I change my dieting to eating organic foods,did a body cleanse and took organic herbs that helped to ease the depression where it won't hurt me anymore.
These guys were caught up going down the same road as Elvis and they tried to stop Elvis and to convince him this is'nt right! Elvis then thought that they were getting in his way and they were let go! that is what happened..
all this "tell it all", "know it all" bullcrap from 79 until now,is just plain ass scavaging.PERIOD. DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT THE MUSIC??.its sex,drugs and rock n roll who gives a shit.why cant some things of this man,be private?why does anyone care to know all the bs centered arround elvis? from his divorce till his death,he spoke to everyone through the lyrics of his songs.the "why",is in the music,the "what happened" is between him and god.
theese three men wrote a book and sold copies of it to make a finacial gain that much is fact... they say they did it because they loved cared etc for elvis....ha bull shit if they loved elvis so much and they couldnt get him of any sort of drugs then they would walk away from him and not charge anything for the information on what elvis was doing to himself...that would be love and respect for elvis it would show elvis that you care and your serious you want him off the pills..fact
I'm done with all of you people that don't know the truth and don't care to know the truth- Elvis was a addict, plain and simple..
that's why Linda left him, she did not want to see him kill himself, like he did...Dave, Sonny and Red are good people- leave it alone-you guys don't know what you are talking about.
Dave Hebler is one of the finest human beings that was around Elvis, he was his friend and tried-they all tried-to get Elvis off drugs-they tried everything..but Elvis always found a way to get the drugs-the 3 of them had nothing but love for Elvis..they just wanted him to quit the drugs..but at that time there was no such thing as rehab centers..people that say they were hangers on and just out to make money are wrong!!! everyone that knows Dave can testify what a good person he is.
Then why did they do this book after he died? I know because they were FIRED! Sonny evens says so, at the beginning of this video, it was about bitterness, if they did not believe in Elvis doing these drugs then why did they not leave on their own? Because they did not want to give up the gravy train, everyone knows Elvis was generous with his "friends" and they knew this, they were yes men and in the end all for themselves.
first of all Sonny also said in a interview, that with all the drugs Elvis had been doing, it changed him, at times he was mean, when they did the book Elvis was still alive, they did it so he might take a good look at himself and maybe see what he was doing, and sure they were bitter about being fired, Elvis had Vernon do it, he couldn't even do it himself- it had nothing to do with the "gravy train", Sonny and Red knew Elvis a long time, and Dave was established the the Karate world-
I read that book... If in fact they were trying to tarnish Elvis' image, it did not work for me. The book was hysterical and made me fall in love with Elvis... it just reminded me of how human he is... it's like Elvis once said, "the image is one thing, the human being is another, it's real hard to live up to the image."
Sonny and Red loved Elvis so much...it still surprises me that people don't know that. i would be proud to have friends half as concerned about me in that situation.
elvisobsessor, I would hate to be loved that much, if these guys loved you and would do this, I would hate for them to hate, imagine what they would have done to you if they hated you, all they did was take, what did they give? Funny they never tried to do anything before it got out of hand when they were still with him, they waited until after they were fired? Coincidence? I don't think so, its okay to agree to disagree though.
sonny west and the two other bodygrauds were rats...they tryed to blackmail elvis...when he seen what they were up to...it was to late...they had the book out...they couldn't leave him alone...they had to destroy him
you are wrong dave hebler presented elvis with his black belt and instructed him in the art of kenpo...you are an idiot why would a guy who had over 7 kenpo dojos need tro blackmail anybody ...you terd boy i outta snap kick you
I thought that Ed Parker did that, not Dave Hebler, in fact just who the hell was Dave Hebler? If the only way we know him is through the great book "What Happened" that is so very pathetic.
google Dave Hebler sometime-you'll find out who he is...he is BIG in the karate world-you guys write your opinions without knowing the truth- now that's pathetic...Elvis was not the angel everyone portrays him to be
We know Elvis was only human, but these so called friends used him, the poor pathetic arses would do anything to stay on the receiving end of cars, jewelry, houses, women, etc, they would laugh when he laughed, anything he said they would do, Elvis even must have wondered about these guys.
That's not true....I've met Sonny, and he's the most genuine semi-famous person I've ever met....Elvis was very troubled when they got fired.(though he waasn't the one that fired them...he even tried to prevent it)...
I read the book when it first came out, it was fascinating. Although some things might have been a bit exaggerated, most of it sounded like the truth. It didn't change my love for Elvis though. We have to understand that the pressures of being who he was, would lead him to seek a little help from a few pills. Big deal. As far as firing these guys through his dad, probably hurt Elvis more than we can imagine, they were lifetime friends of his. We'll never really know what happened.
It was revenge for the firing not the drug abuse, Funny thing is why did it take their firing for them to try to help him, if they hadnt got fired they never would have said a thing, they got mad because there would be no more freebies, and they used the excuse of Elvis taking drugs instead of telling the truth, there were lawsuits because they beat up people and these people were suing Elvis, he had to fire them to stop the lawsuits. They know the truth, it was their fault for getting fired.
OH REALLY, that is not what Sonny said in the video, now who is the retard, he said that they wrote the book out of bitterness when Vernon fired them, you better listen correctly before you run your mouth, but with a vocabulary if you are his cousin, I see where the intelligence comes from.
This book finished Elvis off, when he was vulnerable and in poor health. These guys still claim to be his friends. With friends like these, he didn't need enemies.
Show me the money! A weeks pay wow I bet Elvis bought them all houses and cars! Judas! is all they are. Cahnge his way things went worse when this book was comming out. here is a man who had it in the palm of his hands and his friends and family let the bank die away! They still rape his name and make money.
He gave them notice and a weeks pay - in the US at the time the standard was to fire on the spot, so to get notice AND extra pay makes Elvis a model employer - it loks bad NOW but in those days it was normal. These guys were just pissed off that they'd have to get a proper job for the first time in their crappy little lives.
Don't bash these guys - back then this was big news because of Elvis' protected lifestyle - nobody knew the truth. Now a days - we all know this stuff is true. We still love Elvis no matter what don't we? I know I do - it was ultimately up to Elvis to quit taking pills - nobody else.
These guys are not lying! Just look at what happend later on in that decade. Nobody would try and take a stand to help this man. Even his wife could not take it any more. His So called friends and POSSE could only see the money instead of protecting a true rock and roll icon! Thanks Dave
Personally, I hesitate judging the three of them. I think their intentions might have been good, but that they miscalculated the consequences. Of course, part of it was to get back at Elvis, but I also think they still cared for him. Anyway, it all turned out to be very wrong in the end. I´ll be reading the book soon.
Dave Hebler was my Karate instructor for a couple of years back in the 80s. He seemed a person of high integrity. I can not imagine him selling out someone for personal gain. Don't judge what you don't know.
Good man my ass, a good man does not kick a man when he is down, and all because he got fired, he did this out of revenge, revenge for either not doing his job right or beating up the fans like the gentleman Sonny and Red West did, I would not be so proud to admit to being related to the sucker.
You are so right PatMacQ- I've known Dave Hebler for 16 years and he is a person with a high intergrity and he never ever would sell out for personel gain- the three of them did not do that- they tried to help Elvis off the drugs-BUT Elvis did not want off the drugs.
after reading the book it was clear that Dave didn't have much respect for Elvis. But he sure enjoyed the gifts he received from him. I'm sure Dave is a nice guy but during his time with E he didn't seem to like him very much.
It was a tragedy that Elvis never got help for His drug problem. I bet the problem went back to His Army days in Germany when He took uppers to stay awake when on guard duty.
your're right. First rule when you work for someone, don't criticize the boss in front of others? You just don't do the kind of treachery these dishonest people did. I hope no one ever trusts them as employees again.These low lives exposed Elvis to the whole world.
It was all about money.
There were other ways Elvis could have been helped. He didn't wake up a drug addict, it creeped up on him, it is a disease.
they did it for the money pure and simple, and the Cornel well lets just say that he didnt care either just was about the money as well, he used the Vagas tours to pay for gambling depts what can i say, it was all out of control.
With friends like these, who needs enemies? Just one of the analgesic opiates Elvis did, like Placydil, nearly took out Judge Renquest, on the SUpreme court. It was nearly deadly to get detoxed from it. What - they couldn't take him to a detox center under force? They surely attacked him with force. And Sonny is at it again with a new crap book. I have never seen such a band of Judases congregated in one place as these guys are.
Sonny West was a bad ass dude I did see a small clip of him doing some karate ,man he did look powerful . Elvis put these guys Through hell man, he was like a big kid w/unlimited money that was out of control no way to stop until he finally did.
pama4242 4 days ago
I understand why Red, Sonny etc..are bitter & upset. Look at it this way, when you work for a company, let's say for 20 or so years and one day you're called into your Boss' office and he or she tells you're no longer needed; call it fired/laidoff whatever, you would be slightly pissed off. As with Elvis's aides, this is all they knew as some have known Elvis since High School. What else can they do? Again, they were educated by Elvis and knew nothing else. I understand the bias towards Elvis.
gowestward1 3 weeks ago
@gowestward1 But they were not working for 'a company', they were 'working' for a friend, a friend who had kept them very nicely since they were kids. If he hadn't, rest assured they would have left years earlier, they would have been fools not to. I agree they had to look after themselves but this was a pretty shitty way to do it. Not sure I would say they were educated by Elvis.
hirdy6 1 week ago
They were cowards.
Instead of giving in to Elvis, they could have helped him.
Real friends help friends when there is trouble.
As for writing this book, their excuse is bs.
George Vreeland Hill
GeorgeVreelandHill 2 months ago
Screw you Red and Sonny West! Those 2 should be ashamed by puting Elvis' personal thoughts and secrets about him. I will never read that book. Those 2 are horrible people.
R.I.P Elvis, we miss you.
elvis4ever1935 3 months ago
@elvis4ever1935 How can you make a call on a book and the authors without reading it? There were three by the way, along with a ghost writer, that ambulance chaser Dunleavy. Great to have passion for Elvis but sadly you can't whitewash everything about the man. He was human and made mistakes, tragically he made some dreadful lifestyle choices and they obviously contributed to his death at such a young age and what seemed a pretty sad existence in his later years.
hirdy6 1 week ago
@hirdy6 didnt mean they had to write about all his mistakes and faults.
elvis4ever1935 1 week ago
Sonny looks like a cross between a 70's porn star and a serial killer in the video
00SIvlE00 5 months ago
dont bit the hand thats feeds you....DONT RAT ON YOUR FRIENDS
09bnunez 6 months ago
If elvis was forced to face his demons he may have not come to such a tragic end i think these boys were tryin to help to make him face the realities of what he had become what he had and what he lost maybe elvis should of remembered all they had done for him money doesnt buy everything and elvis was at the time living proof of that!
47queenbee 6 months ago
elvis was in bad financial shape what with the divorce and settlement
and he fired three bodyguards...some of their actions at concerts resulted in lawsuits too. elvis was going to fire some more of the memphis mafia.
if you look at the day he died..he had been off from touring for six weeks and had lost a few pounds,but the book had come out and he was leaving the next day to face his fans for the first time after the slander book was released. he could not sleep and he by mistake overdosed!
MrSpringtime22 8 months ago
Davids book sounds like what they are saying.
Windwatcher 10 months ago
Which year was this?
YesilToklu92 10 months ago
you don't go public 'cus you are pist off. It was wrong what they did....today the are sorry they did that...
no288 11 months ago
Definition of the word "friend" - One who brags about your strength's and defends your weakness's. These guys were bitter, money hungry and obviously victims of amnesia, forgetting ALL that Elvis did for them and their family's. Elvis was said to not care about what their book might do to his image but what his daughter would think if she ever read it. Crazy how these guys are still to this day haunted by this disloyal act.
TheeUprising 11 months ago
@TheeUprising so true they never remember ALL that Elvis did for them and their families! May their conscience judge them in the presence of his eternal Almighty Truth! Elvis was the last man they should have attacked!
Zecalran 8 months ago
As an Elvis fan and impersonator i think they could have written a book..but without all the personal negative info...a book that still would have sold and made money..so i think it was in poor taste and it did not help him,but contributed to his final decline.
I blame his dad or close relatives for not admitting him to treatment by force...which was the only way to save Elvis. People were afraid to say no to Elvis.
The Colonel was working against Elvis to feed his enormous gambling habit.
MrSpringtime22 1 year ago
@MrSpringtime22 oh so u wanna dumped the drug culture on Elvis the scapegoat aight! Elvis had a doctor who was taking care of him! If the ppl wanna use illegal drugs that is their own problem Elvis was using prescribe meds just like you, me and everyone else! Don't go make it look like Elvis was doin something illegal! Elvis should have dumped these guys along time ago..rotting ppl!
Zecalran 8 months ago
I have this book and I have read it a million times from front to back and I do not blame these guys one bit, I come from a very long historical line of addicts and alcoholics including my father and 5 older siblings-and I agree with the saying:"How Do You Protect A Man From Himself?" They were just trying to help someone that was so far in denial about his addiction that this was the only way they felt they could get his attention and perhaps get him some help,but it was already too late.
calster33 1 year ago
I still have the book.. big grown men crying just because they got laid off work those around him had a great life,lived like kings,ate like kings and stayed in the best hotels all expenses paid Joe Esposito{he was loyal like Jerry Schilling}} admitted that.
These ones though were not loyal at the end.
195477 1 year ago
@195477 Ha!May want to look at why they called him "Diamond Joe".Joe was a rat for the colonel,anyone will tell you that.He was about to be fired when Elvis died.And Jerry,please he'll say he was he bff but he wasn't.Elvis thought there was something going on b't Jerry and Priscilla.I was so mad about this book at first but they are not to blame,Elvis was.Red stood up for Elvis back in highschool man!You can't treat ppl like that,it isn't right.TCB though!!!
mommastcb 1 year ago
Two great scoundrels. They had all the confidence of Elvis, who treated them as his brothers. However, these villains have betrayed Elvis. It's unbelievable that they continue making money talking about Elvis. (If I remember correctly, Red West died)
urbanocity 1 year ago
@urbanocity The TRUTH: the King who was getting ready to go on tour wardrobe being packed and flying out that evening suddenly (like Jackson) gets found dead, fell off the toilet with his tongue half bitten off!
Elvis's face was swollen and purplish, the tongue was discolored and sticking out of his mouth, the eyeballs were blood red. Elvis was strangled to death while on the toilet by those around him who knew he had bowels trouble! All I can say is that The King had some envious friends!
Zecalran 8 months ago
Elvis was doomed by 1977 no matter what. Many years of uppers and downers as well as an inherited twisted colon had virtually shut down his large intestine and severely damaged his liver, thus the bloating and pain he was increasingly experiencing. I wonder if Red and Sonny West went to the funeral, I think it was unlikely they would have been invited.
krushnoi 1 year ago
i just read the book i wasnt there so who knows if every thing is true we all no about the pills i think they did love elvis they were with elvis since 1955 they were hurt about being let go but what they did with the book really hurt elvis sonny has anthor book called elvis still taken care of busnies
tracytcb111111111111 1 year ago
elvis stopped by my grandfather's radio station a month before he got signed, and he tried to buy my grandfather's coat.
mjpugh123 1 year ago
who is the ediot talking like e inthis?
shibby1965 1 year ago
only a sycophantic elvis fan so enslaved by the dead man's seduction can deny that these guys who had for years been loyal employees of elvis were wrong in writing an honest if slightly mordant book about the man
xtrmsprts 1 year ago
These guys are turn coats... How would you like to be in the same foxhole with these two... Elvis was a Man... They don't cry for Elvis, they cry for themselfs. I remember seeing this press release... they make me sick...
brad04970 1 year ago
Anyone notice that Red is NOT at this press conference?? That is because there was no more reason for the book after August 16, 1977. He's stated that Many times since August 16, 1977. It was game over as far as he was concerned....
LSUjen 1 year ago
I say this much, as I love Elvis Presley he did this to himself don't burn bridges with people, that book was the only way to get to him elvis wanted nobody to help him if you tried like red did in vegas you got fired or a gun pulled on you Lets face facts elvis was an addict and like most addicts you didn't want to admit you have a problem so desprerate times call for desprerate measures hey im a elvis fan but a spade is a spade
MJAY4000 1 year ago
Does anyone know where th uncut, full version of this can be seen ??
stanfan27 1 year ago
Awesome !! The same thing I'm going through now with who I thought was my faithful trustful friend. Gos to show you.Don't trust knowone.
RockNCat7 1 year ago
This is how you get a guy to look at himself and say oh shit what´am i doing to myself by destroying him in 70% of the book andsaying great tings about him in 30% of the Book maybe they should have just said the truth we wanted to destroy taht Mother Fucker foe getting rid of us and tell his fans what he wanted to hide from them and oh the money they paid us that to fot writing the book. The truth is always the best Boys.
Prozacwierd 1 year ago
@Prozacwierd where you drunk when you wrote this? have no clue what you where saying?
shibby1965 1 year ago
It's called co-dependence. I think they were trying to help themselves as much as they were trying to help Elvis. Bringing him down would have ended their meal ticket anyway. So what's the point? I respect their integrity.
jgraglan 1 year ago
they should be ashamed of themselves they should of kept this private. No wonder elvis was depressed.
ibm198708 1 year ago
i didnt want to believe elvis was an addict but he was. if u watch elvis last days then u will know the truth. he was an addict. but my question was y was he never stopped,y did nobody really put the effort into stopping,y did the police never get involved. there are so many ways they could have stopped him but y didnt they.
Bassaholics123 1 year ago
I'm not even sure Elvis knew he was an addict. He got the meds by prescription from his doctor, who (if I remember right) lost his license for doing the same thing to many of his clients.
thedemoboy 1 year ago 3
That's correct Originally Dr Nick was brought up on charges of over prescribing to Elvis & 14 people including Jerry Lee Lewis who also almost died, & got off on all by using the excuses doctors use until caught again in '95 when he lost his license. In the last years Elvis was getting the heavy pain meds like Dilaudid & Demerol plus hit after hit of sleeping meds. There was an old show on YT about this & one with Dr Nick saying Elvis's meds were administered on a schedule that were removed! .
epmelodygirl 1 year ago
Bassaholics123 As said, Elvis's drugs were legal so they couldn't have him arrested, but somebody should have spoken up sooner about what was happening to Elvis. There were women who left who say they didn't want to see him die! If they knew he was dying, they are guilty of not speaking up! Most of the original Memphis Mafia guys were no longer around when Elvis died however.
epmelodygirl 1 year ago 2
true friend tells truth...but the way of telling it is very important as well...I think the book wasn't the best idea...
tukochamcie 2 years ago 2
when you reach the top theres only one way you can go.................
ninodelbayble 2 years ago
I love Elvis but I think that maybe they got a rougher ride that they deserved. Sonny was honest when he said that they wrote the book out of bitterness and hurt. I think they did care for Elvis and obviously enjoyed what he gave them. Remember they were just poor boys from Memphis too and way out of their depth when it came to dealing with a highly strung addict like Elvis. I think they did regret writing it and have tried in their own way to make up for it.
mjrooney7 2 years ago 3
Wanted to present him with a challenge....... yea Sonny just keep telling yourself that!
gracelandgroupie 2 years ago
This book...just another nail in the coffin
gowestward1 2 years ago
im sure they wrote this book after been sore from been fired,they where nothing but hangers on,where they ever asked in recent interviews how did it feel to write this book?...
tiger5455 2 years ago
Elvis wasn't abusive. He had a temper and yelled and raged at times, but I never heard of him beating the crap out of somebody or actually pulling the trigger. Maybe that would have been abusive--maybe just self defense!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 8
They weren't saying Elvis was an abusive boss. They talked about his temper some, but they were talking mostly about the drugs and Elvis's womanizing. I always thought everybody knew about all the women, but apparently not. A good interview from today with Red and Sonny is on YT at Memphis Mafia Remembers. The instance of Elvis firing his gun into the ceiling in Vegas is made funny--not some big deal.They also talk about Ann Margret saying it was a "toss up," but actually she was the One!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 2
"So you got the sack so what,"
I got the sack and I never wrote a book on my abusive boss after years of work, did i?
fraaaaaag 2 years ago
No matter how one looks at it, Elvis' bodyguards made a huge mistake by writing that book. That book was supposedly written in order to help "save Elvis from himself, but all it did was break his heart. Elvis may have been a jerk at times to his employees, but that doesn't excuse his bodyguards opening up a can of worms and slandering the man.
glenfenderman 2 years ago
I agree with this comment 100%
Red went to hollywood and got some acting gig's Dave hebler went back to teaching karate, sonny went to california and got some work. it's not like they were left homeless and out of work. they were to be well taken care of,but vernon didn't do has his son requested.
ElvisinTribute 2 years ago 5
I agree to an extent because I think these guys have been degraded by Elvis fans over the years. They say they" betrayed" Elvis, but somebody should have spoken up about what was happening to Elvis sooner. Keeping quiet helped kill him Elvis didn't do it to himself though. He had become a MEDICAL addict by the work of a doctor and enablers. Elvis supposedly told his dad to tell them they would be hired back and give them $5,000 each, but his dad didn't do it.
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 7
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epmelodygirl 2 years ago
Not that I'm denigrating any of these guys, but I'm just saying they weren't saints either! Most of them gained by their association with Elvis: cars, motorcycles, etc, meeting famous people and living a life they wouldn't have, those with the goods had doors opened, and don't forget all the beautiful women they got that fell off Elvis! LOL If they didn't like the way they were treated, they could have left anytime! "tamponhouse" isn't keeping your enemies closer TWO FACED?
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 6
serves Elvis right you cant treat peopple like crap then fire them these people looked after him for years waited on him hand and foot laughed at jokes ( even when they werent funny)
Be honest what would you do I would probably do the same thing it's just a normal reaction.
You don't just discard someone who knows everything about you on a whim.
I know I sound like a prick though Im just being honest.I think Elvis got away with way too much.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
tamponhouse 2 years ago
@tamponhouse ask yourself does it sound right to do these things without sounding like they were using him? I heard some of them were stealing his prescriptions and using them and selling them. I am not saying Elvis was a saint, I am just saying these guys were just as guilty of doing the same things they complained Elvis was doing.
ElvisFreak77 1 year ago
@tamponhouse hey i totally agree with you cause ive been in situtaions like that (not the ass-kissing or anything like that ) but being around and addict and there enablers i love elvis the performer he so like a genuine person overall but that addiction can be a killer and he was ass and did get away with things, true friends would tell you ,you got a problem and i dont blame them one bit they had no choice
MJAY4000 1 year ago
If their intentions were so damn good why did they write the book and bring the addiction up after they were fired? The timing is ohhh so slightly suspicious. Why the sudden need to tell the world about the addiction? Frigon pricks if you ask me.
kim101011970 2 years ago
You're right they should have done it before, and he admits part of it was out of bitterness and hurt at being fired. There are people throughout however who could have spoken up, but didn't. People today saying Elvis was "betrayed "wouldn't have spoken up either if they had been there. Some people like Linda and others have said they KNEW Elvis was dying, but walked out without saying anything. Others have bragged about KNOWING he was addicted yet either did nothing or actually helped.!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago
Well, of course because any addiction hijacks the survival mechanism of the brain which then tells the body it needs that substance to survive. These guys said part of their motivation was because they were angry, but I believe they were trying to wake him up also. Dr. Nick was giving Elvis an average of 25 heavy pain meds like Dilaudid and Demerol a day, and they are highly addicitve! I had a video on my channel talking about this, and I explain how it was deliberately removed!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 2
They tried to do an intervention on Elvis and got fired for that. Back then addiction was the 500lb gorilla in the room that everyone saw but no one talked about. Elvis killed himself by abusing pain meds .He knew he was doing it to himself , he just choose to ignore that reality just like all addicts do.
guitarzero 2 years ago
i understand them- they were best friends and elvis got them fired because they woulden't accept any one to tell him to stop doing drugs
kimfaxe 2 years ago
"How do you protect a man from himself?" You do something similar to what these guys did, but without a sensationalist writer. Tom Jones said last year that the bodyguards Red and Sonny came to him and asked him to call Elvis and try to help him, but Tom could never get a call through. People have stated they KNEW Elvis was addicted and might die, but they either kept getting the drugs to him, didn't speak up, or some left quietly knowing he wouldn't survive.This is ENABLING, and possible crime
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 4
they are talking about demeroll just the drug they said jackson took ??
DeeBlood 2 years ago 2
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epmelodygirl 2 years ago
I really miss you Elvis
DubaiSunBoi 2 years ago 2
thank you for the video , do the know what is the audio that Elvis talks in?
DubaiSunBoi 2 years ago
The audio is not Elvis, but an impersonator. The footage is from a docudrama called "This is Elvis" in which real footage is mixed with acted footage. The press conference is real, but Elvis never actually said these things--it is someone's idea of what he might of been thinking.
epmelodygirl 2 years ago
This is from the movie "This is Elvis"
spockistheman 2 years ago
That's not Elvis talking, but an impersonator. This was part of an actual press conference shown in the docudrama "This is Elvis" Elvis never actually said this. It is someone's opinion of what he might be thinking.
epmelodygirl 2 years ago
Elvis is not killed by these guys, Elvis is killed by fuckin Larry Geller the guru with his shit talk! Elvis believe this shit! And he wants to meet god! He died of self-destruction, helped by that dick talk of Larry fuckin geller the guru!!
Geruiteindhoven 2 years ago
Elvis is not killed by these guys, Elvis is killed by fuckin Larry Geller the guru with his shit talk! Elvis believe this shit! And he wants to god! Elvis died of self-destruction,helped by that dick talk of Larry fuckin Geller the guru!
Geruiteindhoven 2 years ago
I still believe that he's not dead...his death is hoax.
crickella 2 years ago
Comment removed
Geruiteindhoven 2 years ago
Larry Geller is the greatest fucker of this guys. He talks everything Elvis did well. He kills Elvis with his shit talk!
Geruiteindhoven 2 years ago
Elvis killed Elvis. Don't blame these guys. If they wrote the book SOONER it might have helped Elvis.
The bodyguards who didn't speak out about the drugs are more to blame that the Wests and Hebler.
shigsho 2 years ago 8
I agree that someone should have SPOKEN OUT SOONER, but I totally disagree that Elvis killed Elvis. If you're talking about because he didn't quit, a person who becomes addicted to heavy pain meds can NOT quit without help and strong intervention Like we are still seeing with stars Elvis was surrounded by ENABLERS who enabled by not speaking up to protect his image and theirs jobs, and by pampering and catering.This goes into ABUSE for those who obtained, picked up, or administered his drugs!!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 2
@shigsho Elvis and Michael Jackson were both being used by the Masonic fraternal order that controls everything and they both died suddenly when they were preparing for their tours! Both killed by their doctors that were assigned to them by the same Masonic Fraternal Order of Freemasons! Then they throw the public bullshit to chew up cuz they know we are stupid enough and would believe any or everything they tell us
Zecalran 11 months ago
@Zecalran what whacko planet are you from?
omurchu12 7 months ago
@shigsho yeah attack him in public! these mutha fuckas were jealous s.o.bs! Elvis was taking badass drugs because he didn't have health issues he was just takin em because he was all health and in good condition! Elvis the man had pressures these guys did not understand these mutha-fuckas were havin a good time using illegal crap! Jealous assholes who strangled Elvis to death!
Zecalran 8 months ago
@shigsho we now know that they all took prescrition drugs, they should have helped him to get out of it and write about their success in being his real friends
charlotte946 6 months ago
Why can't people figure out that Elvis got rid of the bodyguards who tried to keep drugs from getting in. Sadly Elvis wanted the drugs and let go the only bodyguards who tried to stop the junk from getting to him. Elvis was sick of hearing how he should get off drugs. The West cousins and Hebler are okay in my book.
shigsho 2 years ago
Elvis was a grown man who made his own decisions. What this boys tell about Elvis is sad but it is the truth! 32 years after we'll know that the boys tell no lies.
I think its so patronising to Elvis, that many Elvis fans somehow make him out to be a victim.
Geruiteindhoven 2 years ago
When a person becomes addicted, it takes over the survival part of the brain which then tells the body it needs this substance for survival. A person does NOT DECIDE they will become addicted, but once they are addicted, needing help in overcoming that addiction does NOT SHOW WEAKNESS! Elvis was a strong man, but he was also the victim of the doctors, and the enablers around him! He was not a victim of Priscilla as some say because she hadn't been around in years!
epmelodygirl 2 years ago 6
if they had just waited elvis would have taken them back red was a genuine guy i know he loved E 2009 and were still talking about him enough said rip my darling elvis
kimmypie88 2 years ago 17
@kimmypie88 great comment except theres these things called punctuation marks.. they make reading alot easier.. i know it sounds crazy but you should look into it sometime
ghettoslider 6 months ago in playlist elvis: drugs
Sonny was crackers. He's much better today. Dave....man, what's the deal with him? Was he so very important to Elvis' organization?
Red's betrayal was a big disapointment. He should have hung in there with Elvis. Elvis always pulled himslef together after a long while. That is just a fact of Presley's life. He probably would have cleaned up. The idea of weakening the pills may have led Elvis to overdose.
Uppers, downers, man, that's nothing compaired to what today's kids take!
SenorZorrozzz 2 years ago
You tried to help Sonny!
God Bless!
currie1964 2 years ago
You tried to help Sonny!
God Bless!
currie1964 2 years ago
these men should be ashamed of themselves, how dare they betray a man who treated them like family, shame on you!!!
MelodyChiappetta 2 years ago
this book is a disgrace, written by bitter men, how said that they couldn't be loyal to a man that treated them like family shame on you!!!
MelodyChiappetta 2 years ago
goddamn col parker killed elvis's hopes when he said no to elvis about him acting in the remake movie a star is born. these men are guilty of trying to protect a self destructive man who simply gave up. rest in peace elvis! we love you so much.
glynamus 2 years ago
Some say Elvis didn't want to do A Star is Born. Elvis chose to take drugs and HE alone is to blame for what he did to HIMSELF. He was and is my favorite but he had a weakness.
shigsho 2 years ago
Why they wrote the book. 1. They were pissed- off. 2. They needed the money maybe three or 4 they wanted to help Elvis.
1st they themselves used and were on drugs as well as Elvis.
Next this book didnt help Elvis it distracted him and pushed him further into the downward spiral he was headed into. He felt hurt and betrayed by them. One reason they got fired is because they were hot heads costing Elvis tons of money in Lawsuits against their irresponsible behavior. I love Elvis no matter what.
ErichH68 2 years ago
I also read this book, and I thought that the essence of this book was simple; Elvis came across as an intensely lonely man, dreading middle age. Those "shocking" stories were really not that shocking. The main problem for Elvis was that he was considered other-worldly; he was not "supposed" to be normal. What loneliness he must have felt. For a quarter of a century he lived in a "glass-bowl". Think about it; he made THREE TV-appearances from 60-77, and hardly ever did press conferences.
hoelshageland 2 years ago 7
I read 'Elvis: What Happened' not long after Elvis died very sad, much of it difficult to believe.
A more interesting read was one released years later called 'Elvis: What Really happened. By a former D.A who attempted to find the real cause of Elvis' death. It gave a more even handed account of these guys and the others in Elvis' inner circle, many of them the author interviewed. Only Linda Thompson came out as a decent person who truly cared about him.
hirdy6 2 years ago
Oh, and I so sure Sonny, Red, and Dave NEVER took drugs along with Elvis. GIve me a break.
babeofelvis 2 years ago
Hi babeofelvis. Sure the guys took drugs BUT Elvis simply took too many. The other guys never took it to the level Elvis did. Drugs take lives away just Like Sonny is saying here. Elvis was a man who made poor choices. Sad but true.
shigsho 2 years ago
Elvis, gave them all a job for all those years and this is how they thank him by writing a book against him
tommyno24 2 years ago
BASTARDS... BACKSTABBERS... They got the sack n did tat 4 revenge... They used him...
melissacarrolltullow 2 years ago
They did what most everyone else in Elvis' life did - they used him.
babeofelvis 2 years ago
pollygraph would challenge everybody to tell the truth.
demonoid1024 2 years ago
All the houses, cars and money he gave them and when the well ran dry they all knifed him in the back. Elvis was on the verge on financial ruin. Though he was a draw for shows it was too much a toll. 2 shows a night in vegas the constant tours the weight gain and drugs. The guy just needed someone to tell him it was going to be alright not, screw you man you fired us now were gonna screw you! In the 70's once you hit the 40's you were considered done not like today! RIP Elvis too soon you left!
RoaringTiger281 2 years ago
How do you protect a man from himself?
one of the all-time great, sad statements anywhere!
depaolajr 2 years ago 9
Thats why I'm into natural medicene's.While I do believe perscription drugs are great for life and death situations most are poisons in my opinion when it comes to standard health.I was 6 different anti depressants for 9 years and I only got worse.I change my dieting to eating organic foods,did a body cleanse and took organic herbs that helped to ease the depression where it won't hurt me anymore.
discovery2245 2 years ago 2
But now, they have changed their tune. Elvis died lost without Christ
fullgospelpreacher 3 years ago
This is not true Elvis was born again, he may not have been a super christion but he still was one ( THANK GOD )
elvisgorman 2 years ago
joe jerry and lamar and and marty were in my opinion his only true friend's
wc470 3 years ago
I think Charlie Hodge was also.
LAVfan 2 years ago
S N A K E S!!!!
bmarvi76 3 years ago
These guys were caught up going down the same road as Elvis and they tried to stop Elvis and to convince him this is'nt right! Elvis then thought that they were getting in his way and they were let go! that is what happened..
ELVISFREE1977 3 years ago
all this "tell it all", "know it all" bullcrap from 79 until now,is just plain ass scavaging.PERIOD. DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT THE MUSIC??.its sex,drugs and rock n roll who gives a shit.why cant some things of this man,be private?why does anyone care to know all the bs centered arround elvis? from his divorce till his death,he spoke to everyone through the lyrics of his songs.the "why",is in the music,the "what happened" is between him and god.
racerxgtpro 3 years ago 4
theese three men wrote a book and sold copies of it to make a finacial gain that much is fact... they say they did it because they loved cared etc for elvis....ha bull shit if they loved elvis so much and they couldnt get him of any sort of drugs then they would walk away from him and not charge anything for the information on what elvis was doing to himself...that would be love and respect for elvis it would show elvis that you care and your serious you want him off the pills..fact
weirdfactory 3 years ago 2
This is a scene from the semi-documentary "This is Elvis" which is the best film ever made about his life, bar none. In was made in 1981.
racer500gp 3 years ago
SNAKES!!!! ELvis is the fuckn man!
gbizzz 3 years ago
Elvis was Elvis, HE CAME HE SAW HE HAD THE WORLD TO CONQUER. AND DID SO ,GOD REST HIS SOUL.
yourboyelvis 3 years ago
ELVIS WAS HUMAN LET HIM REST IN PEACE.
CARDMAN365 3 years ago 3
I'm done with all of you people that don't know the truth and don't care to know the truth- Elvis was a addict, plain and simple..
that's why Linda left him, she did not want to see him kill himself, like he did...Dave, Sonny and Red are good people- leave it alone-you guys don't know what you are talking about.
graciebullie 3 years ago
He could pass for being one of the bee gees!
tubs1000 3 years ago
Vá se foder
marisabellas 3 years ago
Dave Hebler is one of the finest human beings that was around Elvis, he was his friend and tried-they all tried-to get Elvis off drugs-they tried everything..but Elvis always found a way to get the drugs-the 3 of them had nothing but love for Elvis..they just wanted him to quit the drugs..but at that time there was no such thing as rehab centers..people that say they were hangers on and just out to make money are wrong!!! everyone that knows Dave can testify what a good person he is.
graciebullie 3 years ago
Then why did they do this book after he died? I know because they were FIRED! Sonny evens says so, at the beginning of this video, it was about bitterness, if they did not believe in Elvis doing these drugs then why did they not leave on their own? Because they did not want to give up the gravy train, everyone knows Elvis was generous with his "friends" and they knew this, they were yes men and in the end all for themselves.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago
first of all Sonny also said in a interview, that with all the drugs Elvis had been doing, it changed him, at times he was mean, when they did the book Elvis was still alive, they did it so he might take a good look at himself and maybe see what he was doing, and sure they were bitter about being fired, Elvis had Vernon do it, he couldn't even do it himself- it had nothing to do with the "gravy train", Sonny and Red knew Elvis a long time, and Dave was established the the Karate world-
graciebullie 3 years ago
Snitches get stitches.
I read that book... If in fact they were trying to tarnish Elvis' image, it did not work for me. The book was hysterical and made me fall in love with Elvis... it just reminded me of how human he is... it's like Elvis once said, "the image is one thing, the human being is another, it's real hard to live up to the image."
bettescorpio 3 years ago
what is the mans name in the sunglasses and beard coz he sure does look like elvis!
flowerdesin 3 years ago
hello umm the man in the sun glass,es is Sonny West .
wotan46 3 years ago
So Sad. You better keep your enemies close to you. Beware!!!
bbudacious 3 years ago
these brothers are still making money off of elvis.. with friends liket this who needs enemies..
251jamesp 3 years ago
thanx for posting.
elvisobsessor 3 years ago
Sonny and Red loved Elvis so much...it still surprises me that people don't know that. i would be proud to have friends half as concerned about me in that situation.
love ya, E. TCB
elvisobsessor 3 years ago
elvisobsessor, I would hate to be loved that much, if these guys loved you and would do this, I would hate for them to hate, imagine what they would have done to you if they hated you, all they did was take, what did they give? Funny they never tried to do anything before it got out of hand when they were still with him, they waited until after they were fired? Coincidence? I don't think so, its okay to agree to disagree though.
HiddenLeafSimari 3 years ago
sonny west and the two other bodygrauds were rats...they tryed to blackmail elvis...when he seen what they were up to...it was to late...they had the book out...they couldn't leave him alone...they had to destroy him
kingerous 3 years ago
you are wrong dave hebler presented elvis with his black belt and instructed him in the art of kenpo...you are an idiot why would a guy who had over 7 kenpo dojos need tro blackmail anybody ...you terd boy i outta snap kick you
BuckHebler 3 years ago
I thought that Ed Parker did that, not Dave Hebler, in fact just who the hell was Dave Hebler? If the only way we know him is through the great book "What Happened" that is so very pathetic.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago 2
Dave Hebler was 1 of the bodyguards elvis had around him from 1974 till july 13th when he got the phone call from elvis father about being fired
wotan46 3 years ago
google Dave Hebler sometime-you'll find out who he is...he is BIG in the karate world-you guys write your opinions without knowing the truth- now that's pathetic...Elvis was not the angel everyone portrays him to be
graciebullie 3 years ago
We know Elvis was only human, but these so called friends used him, the poor pathetic arses would do anything to stay on the receiving end of cars, jewelry, houses, women, etc, they would laugh when he laughed, anything he said they would do, Elvis even must have wondered about these guys.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago 3
That's not true....I've met Sonny, and he's the most genuine semi-famous person I've ever met....Elvis was very troubled when they got fired.(though he waasn't the one that fired them...he even tried to prevent it)...
ironmaidenman77 2 years ago 2
He may be genuine now, but back then he was a dog, just like the rest of them. Users.
babeofelvis 2 years ago
"ELVIS, WHAT HAPPENED ?" Hey Dave and Sonny.....you guys are what happened ! Too many "hangers-on" like you leaches !
fvilledutchman 3 years ago 2
I read the book when it first came out, it was fascinating. Although some things might have been a bit exaggerated, most of it sounded like the truth. It didn't change my love for Elvis though. We have to understand that the pressures of being who he was, would lead him to seek a little help from a few pills. Big deal. As far as firing these guys through his dad, probably hurt Elvis more than we can imagine, they were lifetime friends of his. We'll never really know what happened.
imalittlebitcountry 3 years ago 2
Too bad these people ratholed Elvis what a shame.
drbcook 3 years ago
It was revenge for the firing not the drug abuse, Funny thing is why did it take their firing for them to try to help him, if they hadnt got fired they never would have said a thing, they got mad because there would be no more freebies, and they used the excuse of Elvis taking drugs instead of telling the truth, there were lawsuits because they beat up people and these people were suing Elvis, he had to fire them to stop the lawsuits. They know the truth, it was their fault for getting fired.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago 2
he fired them for the book after it was written you fucking retard...
BuckHebler 3 years ago
OH REALLY, that is not what Sonny said in the video, now who is the retard, he said that they wrote the book out of bitterness when Vernon fired them, you better listen correctly before you run your mouth, but with a vocabulary if you are his cousin, I see where the intelligence comes from.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago
that's so far from the truth you're a fucking cunt
BuckHebler 3 years ago
NICE vocabulary there, yeah you must be his cousin, ignorance must run in the family.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago
This book finished Elvis off, when he was vulnerable and in poor health. These guys still claim to be his friends. With friends like these, he didn't need enemies.
trampp12 3 years ago 3
Filhos Da Puta!
simonecabralalencar 3 years ago
Show me the money! A weeks pay wow I bet Elvis bought them all houses and cars! Judas! is all they are. Cahnge his way things went worse when this book was comming out. here is a man who had it in the palm of his hands and his friends and family let the bank die away! They still rape his name and make money.
peacemaker281 4 years ago 4
He gave them notice and a weeks pay - in the US at the time the standard was to fire on the spot, so to get notice AND extra pay makes Elvis a model employer - it loks bad NOW but in those days it was normal. These guys were just pissed off that they'd have to get a proper job for the first time in their crappy little lives.
therealcharro 4 years ago
Don't bash these guys - back then this was big news because of Elvis' protected lifestyle - nobody knew the truth. Now a days - we all know this stuff is true. We still love Elvis no matter what don't we? I know I do - it was ultimately up to Elvis to quit taking pills - nobody else.
ksimms2 4 years ago 2
Did Elvis ever have any other girlfriends? does anyone know?
qklsjdv 4 years ago
don't listen to these guys . all lies. Red,Sonny& Dave and cilla killed Elvis.
sakinehbs 4 years ago
Yes, and look at these guys today...their true souls show in
their looks, and they look like hell. As for Cilla, look at he
horrible plastic face and weird lips and turkey neck the close up on "Dancing" showed. It was my turn to laugh at the bitch
for all she's done to Elvis. She deserved it.
2egypt 3 years ago
i think they are a joke
cheryldanderson 4 years ago
These guys are not lying! Just look at what happend later on in that decade. Nobody would try and take a stand to help this man. Even his wife could not take it any more. His So called friends and POSSE could only see the money instead of protecting a true rock and roll icon! Thanks Dave
goleafbudsgo 4 years ago
Personally, I hesitate judging the three of them. I think their intentions might have been good, but that they miscalculated the consequences. Of course, part of it was to get back at Elvis, but I also think they still cared for him. Anyway, it all turned out to be very wrong in the end. I´ll be reading the book soon.
KjetilRH 4 years ago
liars
sakinehbs 4 years ago
Dave Hebler was my Karate instructor for a couple of years back in the 80s. He seemed a person of high integrity. I can not imagine him selling out someone for personal gain. Don't judge what you don't know.
PatMacQ 4 years ago
you are correct dave is my cousin he is a good man...
BuckHebler 3 years ago
Good man my ass, a good man does not kick a man when he is down, and all because he got fired, he did this out of revenge, revenge for either not doing his job right or beating up the fans like the gentleman Sonny and Red West did, I would not be so proud to admit to being related to the sucker.
ElvisFreak77 3 years ago 2
You are so right PatMacQ- I've known Dave Hebler for 16 years and he is a person with a high intergrity and he never ever would sell out for personel gain- the three of them did not do that- they tried to help Elvis off the drugs-BUT Elvis did not want off the drugs.
graciebullie 3 years ago
If they hadn't been fired, would they still have written the book? Or would it have been business as usual?
Karen2448 3 years ago 4
Till the well ran dry Karen, till the well ran dry.
ElvisFreak77 2 years ago
after reading the book it was clear that Dave didn't have much respect for Elvis. But he sure enjoyed the gifts he received from him. I'm sure Dave is a nice guy but during his time with E he didn't seem to like him very much.
crashbug 3 years ago
ELVIS was tired of these guys .
memphis77 4 years ago
It was a tragedy that Elvis never got help for His drug problem. I bet the problem went back to His Army days in Germany when He took uppers to stay awake when on guard duty.
DaveSmithjr 4 years ago
your're right. First rule when you work for someone, don't criticize the boss in front of others? You just don't do the kind of treachery these dishonest people did. I hope no one ever trusts them as employees again.These low lives exposed Elvis to the whole world.
It was all about money.
There were other ways Elvis could have been helped. He didn't wake up a drug addict, it creeped up on him, it is a disease.
syevie 4 years ago 3
they did it for the money pure and simple, and the Cornel well lets just say that he didnt care either just was about the money as well, he used the Vagas tours to pay for gambling depts what can i say, it was all out of control.
johnburows1968 4 years ago
With friends like these, who needs enemies? Just one of the analgesic opiates Elvis did, like Placydil, nearly took out Judge Renquest, on the SUpreme court. It was nearly deadly to get detoxed from it. What - they couldn't take him to a detox center under force? They surely attacked him with force. And Sonny is at it again with a new crap book. I have never seen such a band of Judases congregated in one place as these guys are.
Sonyasny 4 years ago
did someone ever hire these people to work for them? I would never ever trust to have such people on staff, people who sell their soul for money
syevie 4 years ago