Baby, Let's Play House Part 64

575 "He told me": "He told me": Deborah Walley to Andrew Hearn, Deborah Walley to Andrew Hearn, Essential Elvis Essential Elvis magazine, no. 13, 2000. magazine, no. 13, 2000.

575 "When he did": "When he did": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

577 "there's no way": "there's no way": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in People People magazine, December 4, 1978. magazine, December 4, 1978.

577 "She was a terror": "She was a terror": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Ladies' Home Journal Ladies' Home Journal, July 2003.

577 "he'd say": "he'd say": Jo Smith to author, 1994. Jo Smith to author, 1994.

578 "we were expected to say": "we were expected to say": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

578 "That was our intention": "That was our intention": "Interview with Sonny West," by Scott Jenkins, on the Web site Elvis Australia, May 13, 2005. "Interview with Sonny West," by Scott Jenkins, on the Web site Elvis Australia, May 13, 2005.

578 "the major turning point": "the major turning point": Linda Thompson to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1995. Linda Thompson to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1995.

578 "Let's just go away": "Let's just go away": Linda Thompson to author, 1977. Linda Thompson to author, 1977.

579 "I truly, truly loved him": "I truly, truly loved him": Linda Thompson to author, 1977. Linda Thompson to author, 1977.

579 "To this day": "To this day": Linda Thompson, quoted in Linda Thompson, quoted in Elvis World Magazine, Elvis World Magazine, no. 82. no. 82.

579 "The band was afraid": "The band was afraid": David Briggs to author, 1997. David Briggs to author, 1997.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR.

581 "Elvis was so kind": "Elvis was so kind": Rosemary Alden, Rosemary Alden, Essential Elvis Essential Elvis magazine, March-April, 2002. magazine, March-April, 2002.

581 "I know this sounds funny": Ginger Alden, Essential Elvis Essential Elvis magazine, March-April, 2002. magazine, March-April, 2002.

582 "By one account": "By one account": Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. The Death of Elvis. The Death of Elvis.

582 "All right, listen": "All right, listen": Larry Geller quoting Elvis Presley to author, 2009. Larry Geller quoting Elvis Presley to author, 2009.

583 "When we left": "When we left": Wink Martindale, quoted in Wink Martindale, quoted in Elvis World Elvis World magazine, #44. magazine, #44.

583 "He was self-conscious": "He was self-conscious": Mich.e.l.le Beaulieu Hovey, quoted in Mich.e.l.le Beaulieu Hovey, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

583 "I knew something was different": "I knew something was different": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

583 "he didn't want": "he didn't want": Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

583 "Please speak with Cilla": "Please speak with Cilla": Ann Beaulieu, quoting Elvis Presley in Ann Beaulieu, quoting Elvis Presley in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

583 "I had a sinking feeling": "I had a sinking feeling": Ann Beaulieu, quoted in Ann Beaulieu, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

583 "I'd take Lisa "I'd take Lisa": "Priscilla Presley: Surviving Elvis," by Sheila Weller, McCall's McCall's magazine, May 1979. magazine, May 1979.

583 "We underestimated his emotional pain": "We underestimated his emotional pain": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

584 "I feel so alone sometimes:" "I feel so alone sometimes:" Elvis Presley, private note, as quoted in Elvis Presley, private note, as quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Singer Wayne Newton ultimately bought the note and turned it into a song, "The Elvis Letter." He told Ritz, David, editor. Singer Wayne Newton ultimately bought the note and turned it into a song, "The Elvis Letter." He told USA Today USA Today, April 17, 1992, "It reflects a man reaching to the ultimate for help. Once I digested it and got over the shock, I realized that it was feelings that I, too, had had at times . . . I realized-that kind of loneliness creeps into everybody's life."

584 "I don't know who I can talk to anymore": Elvis Presley, private note, as quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

584 "Sam, I love your sister": "Sam, I love your sister": Larry Geller quoting Elvis Presley to author, 2009. Larry Geller quoting Elvis Presley to author, 2009.

585 "Elvis found out": "Elvis found out": e-mail, s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. e-mail, s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

585 "she doesn't think it was an engagement gift." "she doesn't think it was an engagement gift." Jo Alden, quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Jo Alden, quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

585 "One walks away": "One walks away": quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

586 "When Elvis met Ginger": "When Elvis met Ginger": Larry Geller to author, 2009. Larry Geller to author, 2009.

586 "See s.h.i.+rley": "See s.h.i.+rley": s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

586 Elvis and Ginger sat on the edge: Elvis and Ginger sat on the edge: Larry Geller to author, 2009. Larry Geller to author, 2009.

587 "It was like old-fas.h.i.+oned times": "It was like old-fas.h.i.+oned times": Ginger Alden, quoted in "World's at Standstill for Elvis' Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, Ginger Alden, quoted in "World's at Standstill for Elvis' Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, Commercial Appeal, Commercial Appeal, August 19, 1977. August 19, 1977.

587 "When he flew my family to Las Vegas": "When he flew my family to Las Vegas": Jo Alden to author, 1977. Jo Alden to author, 1977.

587 "Ginger and I": "Ginger and I": s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

588 "My most treasured moment": "My most treasured moment": Rosemary Alden, Rosemary Alden, Essential Elvis Essential Elvis magazine, March-April, 2002. magazine, March-April, 2002.

588 "Elvis liked Ginger": "Elvis liked Ginger": Joe Esposito, quoted on the Web site Elvis Australia. Joe Esposito, quoted on the Web site Elvis Australia.

588 "We even took her out": "We even took her out": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

588 "It depends on how you look at it": "It depends on how you look at it": s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

588 "leeches" "leeches": Life Life magazine, June 1990. magazine, June 1990.

588 "He felt that [Ginger] was just using him": "He felt that [Ginger] was just using him": David Stanley, quoted in David Stanley, quoted in Life Life magazine, June 1990. magazine, June 1990.

589 "Elvis made dreams come true": "Elvis made dreams come true": e-mail, s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. e-mail, s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

589 "Baby, they wrote a book": "Baby, they wrote a book": Sherry Williams quoting Elvis Presley, "Elvis's Secret Love," Sherry Williams quoting Elvis Presley, "Elvis's Secret Love," Essential Elvis Essential Elvis magazine, #33, 2004. magazine, #33, 2004.

589 "You didn't think I'd make it, did you?" "You didn't think I'd make it, did you?" Billy Smith quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994. Billy Smith quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994.

590 "The singer's new girlfriend:" "The singer's new girlfriend:" Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

590 "For the last six months": "For the last six months": George C. Nichopoulos to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1995. George C. Nichopoulos to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1995.

590 "He said, 'That d.a.m.n girl' ": s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

590 "Why the h.e.l.l do you put up with her?" "Why the h.e.l.l do you put up with her?" Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

590 "If Elvis had ever known that": "If Elvis had ever known that": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

591 "They were fixin' ": "They were fixin' ": Alicia Kerwin, quoted in Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. Alicia Kerwin, quoted in Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. The Death of Elvis. The Death of Elvis. All Alicia Kerwin quotes come from this source. All Alicia Kerwin quotes come from this source.

591 "It scared me real bad": "It scared me real bad": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

592 "multiple drug toxicity": "multiple drug toxicity": Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. Cole, James P., and Thompson, Charles C. II. The Death of Elvis. The Death of Elvis. Alicia's marriage to Anthony Albert Ca.s.sel was tempestuous, and she began abusing alcohol and the very prescription drugs that had so frightened her when she was in Elvis's presence. On March 12, 1991, ten days after shooting her husband in the leg, a case that was going to trial, she went to sleep on large doses of Valium, Placydil, and Elavil, and never woke up. The coroner listed the cause of death as "multiple drug toxicity." She was 33 years old. Alicia's marriage to Anthony Albert Ca.s.sel was tempestuous, and she began abusing alcohol and the very prescription drugs that had so frightened her when she was in Elvis's presence. On March 12, 1991, ten days after shooting her husband in the leg, a case that was going to trial, she went to sleep on large doses of Valium, Placydil, and Elavil, and never woke up. The coroner listed the cause of death as "multiple drug toxicity." She was 33 years old.

593 "he was pale, swollen-he had no stamina": "he was pale, swollen-he had no stamina": Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

593 "I can't wait for 1977 to be over": "I can't wait for 1977 to be over": Jerry Schilling quoting Elvis to Jerry Hopkins, the Jerry Hopkins Collection, Special Collections, the University of Memphis. Jerry Schilling quoting Elvis to Jerry Hopkins, the Jerry Hopkins Collection, Special Collections, the University of Memphis.

593 "You could look at Elvis": "You could look at Elvis": Larry Geller to author, 1998. Larry Geller to author, 1998.

594 "People who ask that": "People who ask that": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

594 "G.o.d went to the toilet!": "G.o.d went to the toilet!": Jackie Kahane to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994. Jackie Kahane to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994.

594 "At the finale": "At the finale": Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst: Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day By Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

595 "He said, 'I've got to teach her' ": "He said, 'I've got to teach her' ": Larry Geller to author, 2009. Larry Geller to author, 2009.

595 "whole d.a.m.n family": "whole d.a.m.n family": Geller, Larry and Spector, Joel, with Romanowski, Patricia. Geller, Larry and Spector, Joel, with Romanowski, Patricia. If I Can Dream If I Can Dream. New York: Avon Books, 1989.

595 "a long-lost soul": "a long-lost soul": Kathy Westmoreland, quoted in Kathy Westmoreland, quoted in People People magazine, August 18, 1997. magazine, August 18, 1997.

595 "I'm going to look fat": "I'm going to look fat": Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1997. Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1997.

595 "I knew that it was inevitable": "I knew that it was inevitable": Kathy Westmoreland to author, 1997. Kathy Westmoreland to author, 1997.

595 "At the beginning": "At the beginning": Todd Slaughter, as quoted in the Todd Slaughter, as quoted in the Irish Times, Irish Times, January 24, 1997. January 24, 1997.

596 "almost anorexic": "almost anorexic": s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009. s.h.i.+rley Dieu to author, 2009.

596 "We were on the airplane": "We were on the airplane": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

596 "I did say to him": "I did say to him": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Ladies' Home Journal, Ladies' Home Journal, July 2003. July 2003.

597 "He told me": "He told me": "Priscilla Presley: Surviving Elvis," by Sheila Weller, "Priscilla Presley: Surviving Elvis," by Sheila Weller, McCall's McCall's magazine, May 1979. magazine, May 1979.

597 "and some of the old songs": "and some of the old songs": Jo Alden to author, 1977. Jo Alden to author, 1977.

597 "When I stayed at Graceland": "When I stayed at Graceland": Lisa Marie Presley, quoted in Lisa Marie Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

597 "I'm so tired": "I'm so tired": Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley in Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley in People People magazine, August 18, 1997. magazine, August 18, 1997.

597 "The Colonel owes": Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1997. Kathy Westmoreland quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1997.

598 "in a very good mood": "in a very good mood": Larry Geller to author, 1998. Larry Geller to author, 1998.

598 "He had earlier": "He had earlier": Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009. Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009.

598 "He and Ginger had wonderful plans": "He and Ginger had wonderful plans": Jo Alden to author, 1977. Jo Alden to author, 1977.

598 "He found me": "He found me": Lisa Marie Presley, quoted in Lisa Marie Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

598 "Ain't no problem": "Ain't no problem": Billy Smith, quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994. Billy Smith, quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994.

599 "How is Lisa Marie": "How is Lisa Marie": Rick Stanley, quoting Elvis Presley in Rick Stanley, quoting Elvis Presley in Life Life magazine, June 1990. magazine, June 1990.

600 "the core problem": "the core problem": Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009. Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009.

600 "didn't know Elvis": "didn't know Elvis": Joe Esposito to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994. Joe Esposito to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994.

600 "Precious, I'm going to go in the bathroom": "Precious, I'm going to go in the bathroom": Billy Smith quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994. A similar exchange appears in Billy Smith quoting Elvis Presley to author, 1994. A similar exchange appears in Life Life magazine, June 1990. magazine, June 1990.

601 "No, if they ain't heard from him": "No, if they ain't heard from him": Billy Smith to author, 1994. Billy Smith to author, 1994.

601 "That's when I saw him in there": "That's when I saw him in there": Ginger Alden, "World's at Standstill for Elvis's Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, Ginger Alden, "World's at Standstill for Elvis's Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, The Commercial Appeal, The Commercial Appeal, August 19, 1977. August 19, 1977.

602 "Who's on duty?" "Who's on duty?" Ginger Alden, as quoted in Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Ginger Alden, as quoted in Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

602 "Don't go, son!": "Don't go, son!": Billy Smith quoting Vernon Presley to author, 1994. Billy Smith quoting Vernon Presley to author, 1994.

602 "Get her out of here, quick!" "Get her out of here, quick!" Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

602 "What happened to him?": "What happened to him?": Ulysses Jones, as quoted by Marty Lacker to author, 1994. Ulysses Jones, as quoted by Marty Lacker to author, 1994.

602 "He's gone": "He's gone": Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, quoted in Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, quoted in Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

603 "was at a standstill": "was at a standstill": Jo Smith, quoted in "World's at Standstill for Elvis's Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, Jo Smith, quoted in "World's at Standstill for Elvis's Fiancee," by Lawrence Buser, Commercial Appeal, Commercial Appeal, August 19, 1977. August 19, 1977.

603 "an overwhelming sense": "an overwhelming sense": Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009. Ginger Alden Leyser, "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009.

603 "My son is dead": "My son is dead": Vernon Presley, quoted in "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009. Vernon Presley, quoted in "Elvis Presley's Death: Anniversary Spotlights Similarities with Michael Jackson," by Russell Goldman, on the ABC News Web site, August 16, 2009.

603 "She stood there": "She stood there": Larry Geller to author, 2009. Larry Geller to author, 2009.

603 "It's Lisa": "It's Lisa": Lisa Marie Presley, as quoted by Linda Thompson, Lisa Marie Presley, as quoted by Linda Thompson, Life Life magazine, February 10, 1995. magazine, February 10, 1995.

603 "I have something terrible to tell you": "I have something terrible to tell you": Joe Esposito to Colonel Tom Parker. Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Joe Esposito to Colonel Tom Parker. Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena. Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

603 "I left the house": "I left the house": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis By the Presleys: Elvis By the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.