Elvis historian Jeff Schrembs says fans should remember this holiday season to acknowledge "the role and sacrifices that the Memphis Mafia played in the life and accomplishments of Elvis Presley." Being a member of Elvis' inner circle was more than a full-time job, Schrembs says, especially given The King's unusual schedule and need for constant attention.
What we do know is that these grown men, capable of defending themselves physically, have REAL emotions about Elvis - his death - and their time with him. They have expressed sadness and, on many occasions, have "opened their hearts" telling the story of their life with Elvis. The wounds that these men carry with them have not healed and will never heal unless/until they know, monetarily and publicly, how much THEY mean to Elvis Fans Worldwide. I believe that time is "running out" and the time for praise, expression of thanks and acknowledgement is warranted.Schremb says he has been an Elvis fan and collector for 50 years, and that he has a collection of more than 100,000 personal photos and other Elvis items. He wants to defend the Memphis Mafia's legacy, which became controversial after Red West, Sonny Hebler and Dave West published the explosive tell-all "Elvis What Happened?" just a month before Elvis' death in 1977.
I can't imagine how hard it must of been to love someone as much as they did Elvis, and at times be subjected to "unfavorable actions", and be helpless (in many ways) to stopping the (eventual) downfall. I say this with the UTMOST love, and respect, for Elvis and he gave his heart up to the last note he sang onstage for his fans. He was the comsumate entertainer and his voice has lifted me daily even these 30+ years since his passing. I never thought that there would ever be a "World without Elvis" and yet there is...and it hurts...and I have problems understanding it fully...and I ask WHY???...and then I think about all of those who really knew him and (my God) what they must be going through..and went through.
In response to the article that I had written, and linkstomemphis.com was kind enough to discuss (thank you) online, there are many other points about each of the Memphis Members and it would take (literally) a "series of books" to get through all of the issues between person "A" and then person "B" and so on and so forth.
I have been a PASSIONATE Elvis Presley Collector for (approx) FIFTY YEARS NOW. From all of his albums, 45's, autographs, movies, tv appearances, concerts, souveniers, etc. I have read everything ever written, of note, about Elvis Presley and watched far too many Elvis "specials".
Throughout my entire life, from playing ball in High School, until I was 32 there was nothing physcially I could not do very well (karate, basketball, lift weights, etc.) until I got hit from behind at a stop light (not my fault) and my neck (C2-C5) was permanately injured and my back (L4-L6 and S1 - yes I had an L6). I have titanium rods, cage, plates, screws, etc. holding my spine together. Why I bring this up is because I, even with Martial Art training and my deep felt Religious beliefs, could not "survive" without taking medications. If, on occassion, I ran out of one and Pharmacy was closed it was TORTURE. So, at 32 I LEARNED FIRSTHAND how powerful these medications can be and how much you NEED THEM.
This goes right into the Memphis Mafia Members who tried to do what they could to get him off them but they SERVED at his wish. They LOVED the man and had for decades. Elvis' doctors said he needed them and he used them and when Elvis What Happened came out I was FURIOUS at the men who wrote that book believeing that they betrayed Elvis and were just mad getting fired. Having had connections to Elvis, and Colonel Parker, I found out that the firings had "more to the story". I also remember when I was getting ready to have another surgery and they tried to cut me back on some medications and I expressed myself every clearly (being 6'1, 195 pounds and a black belt) that these medications were NOT being taken because I was going to take them as usual.
In summary I can see how the Memphis Mafia was UNABLE to get Elvis off the medications. To his credit Elvis went into the Hospital several times to get "clean" but there were no "Betty Ford Clinics" then AND it was not accepted by the fans/public for a "Star" to have these problems and Elvis feared his career would be over and his reputation destroyed. If this happened to Elvis in 2010 there is NO DOUBT that Elvis would have had options to go into detox, get healthy mentally/physcially, come out light and fresh and ready to kick off his concerts AND the Memphis Mafia would never have written that book.
Nonetheless, these men LOVED Elvis and he loved them. They tried to SHOCK Elvis and hoped, even if Elvis hated them for doing so, Elvis would get back in good mental/physcial condition.
Marty Lacker, Red West, Sonny West, Lamar Fike, and Billy Smith are QUALITY men who are honest and they lived a life we never can even "understand". They lost their job, their ability to produce an income, lost their employer, lost their friend, and lost opportunities to tell Elvis how much they meant to them.
Each of these man have taken time away from the families to share stories about Elvis and memories (photos, movies, etc.) that they made on vacations and such. Their role in Elvis' life should be put into context (concerning the book Elvis What Happened) of "when there was no other options they wrote a book about Elvis hoping he would use it as a challenge and excell at the challenge as he had in 1968 and in 1973 and in many other sold out Concerts. THEN it should be noted these men are honest, hard working, caring, and over the past 30 plus years they have NOT monetarily benefited from EPE and they know in their hearts (espically Billy Smith Elvis' Cousin) that Elvis would have WANTED them to be monetarily taken care of.
Elvis used to say (paraphrasing) "you don't know what that mans been through till you have walked in his shoes". Well, that applies tothe Memphis Mafia. I am a very good judge of character and I hold people to HIGH standards and I would NEVER question the integrity, honesty, value, memory, commitments, etc. of any of those men.
Time is so very short and we are losing the last generation who lived while Elvis was alive and went to see him life and/or was his guest at Graceland, etc.
IF we, including myself, dont' step up and TELL THE TRUTH about the Memphis Mafia then who will? Take it a step further and if all these "half truths" and/or "lies were left unchallenged" then what will future generations think of the name Marty Lacker? Red West? etc. Then ask yourself what did ELVIS think of each of these men.
THAT is where my heart lies in the fact that Elvis LOVED these men and they loved him. They have EARNED our respect/appreciation/support and they are living breathing legacies of Elvis and his life and they should be monetarily supported by Elvis Fans Worldwide as opportunities present themselves.
IF a scarf that Elvis threw in Las Vegas can go for FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS on eBay what is the value of the men who KNEW Elvis for THREE DECADES and shared their lives together?
Thank you for this platform and for allowing me to add to the previous article.
I do not get, nor would I accept, ANY monetary or otherwise from the Memphis Mafia. I am just an Elvis Fan who tells it like it is AND defends/advocates for things that I knew Elvis wanted and for his entire works of music/film/etc. He would not stand for these men being given anything but love and respect and I agree with him 100%.
Take care and God bless.
Jeffrey Schrembs
Thank you Mark Richens for your wonderful article and for allowing my story to be seen on linkstomemphis.com.
If there is ever anything I can do for you, or you need any information/photos for a story, please just contact me directly.
Take care and God bless.
Jeff Schrembs
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