Customer Reviews

Elvis, Portrait of a Friend

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I like this book and I'm reading it now for the second time. It's one of the older paperbacks with tiny print, but nice pictures are included. A good read!

Wonderful book about the king, Elvis. Very touching and interesting. A must book for any Elvis fan. Made me more appreciative of Elvis's guys who were loyal till the end and still are to this day. Thanks Marty and Patsy Lacker for your insight into the life of Elvis and for all you did for him. I know he is looking down and smiling at both of you and remembering all the good times.

...worth reading for Patsy Lacker's contribution and the interviews in the last part. The bulk of the book, provided by Marty Lacker, is but a sanitized version of his later contribution to the book by Alanna Nash on the Memphis Mafia.
Patsy's memories tell much of the story as it came to be known after the first revelations by the West and Habler. And her perspective being different from that of the guys makes it worthwhile reading it. I liked the Schilling interview too, much more than his glorifying and useless recent book. I wonder why no pic of Patsy is included, at least in the paperback edition I read. Strange also to read John Wilkinson (in an interview given to Guitar Player and quoted here) saying that no live version of Kentucky Rain was ever attempted because too difficult to play (at youtube you can find a couple of versions made in Vegas).

I am reading the book now and I am almost finished. It was very boring in parts but gave no real insight to Elvis's life. Now, I have to say, I have read almost 25 books on his life so most of this is repeat stuff. But the book is a white wash of his life.
Give you an example, Marty Lacker stated that Dr. Nick first visited Elvis at Circle G because he had a bad cold. Not true, according to Dr. Nick, Elvis had saddle sores on his buttocks from riding his horse at the ranch. Why not just tell the truth? No mention of drugs, sex and other stuff.
I did enjoy reading about his generousity and kindness. I just think for the sake of truth both sides should be shared to bring balance.

ANOTHER "TRUE" STORY WRITTEN BY DISGRUNTLED EX-EMPLOYEES.
THIS ONE QUICLY FOLLOWED THE COURSE OF THOSE WHO ONCE
"WORKED" FOR ELVIS (FREE CARS, JEWELERY,ETC.-HOW ROUGH),
COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS LIFESTYLE,SINCE NOW THEY NEED TO
SUPPORT THEMSELVES AS STORYTELLERS. THIS ONE INCLUDES A
SECTION BY ONE OF HIS BODYGUARD'S WIVES,ON HOW BAD SHE HAD
IT (FREE CARS,JEWELERY,ETC.-BOO-HOO).
IT'S BEEN OVER TWENTY YEARS SINCE THIS BOOKS INITIAL
RELEASE,DO ANY OF THESE MEMPHIS "MAFIANS" HAVE ROOM TO
TALK ABOUT ELVIS' WEIGHT NOW? NO ONE WILL REMEMBER THEM
ANYWAYS!