Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley [Hardcover]

Jerry Schilling (Author), Chuck Crisafulli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2006

An intimate memoir of a friendship with the greatest artist in rock and roll history, taking you from late-night parties at Graceland to the bright lights of Hollywood sets and glittering stages of Vegas

On a lazy Sunday in 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by a nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley, the local teenager whose first record, “That’s All Right,” had just debuted on Memphis radio. The two became fast friends, even as Elvis turned into the world’s biggest star. In 1964, Elvis invited Jerry to work for him as part of his “Memphis Mafia,” and Jerry soon found himself living with Elvis full-time in a Bel Air mansion and, later, in his own room at Graceland. Over the next thirteen years Jerry would work for Elvis in various capacities—from bodyguard to photo double to co-executive producer on a karate film. But more than anything else he was Elvis’s close friend and confidant: Elvis trusted Jerry with protecting his life when he received death threats, he asked Jerry to drive him and Priscilla to the hospital the day Lisa Marie was born and to accompany him during the famous “lost weekend” when he traveled to meet President Nixon at the White House.

Me and a Guy Named Elvis looks at Presley from a friend’s perspective, offering readers the man rather than the icon—including insights into the creative frustrations that lead to Elvis’s abuse of prescription medicine and his tragic death. Jerry offers never-before-told stories about life inside Elvis’s inner circle and an emotional recounting of the great times, hard times, and unique times he and Elvis shared. These vivid memories will be priceless to Elvis’s millions of fans, and the compelling story will fascinate an even wider audience. BACKCOVER: Advance Praise for Me and a Guy Named Elvis

“This book kept me up late into the night as I turned the pages, reliving every situation and every story as if I were there all over again, until I finished. Jerry Schilling’s words brought tears to my eyes, making me smile and nod as it filled my head with things I had forgotten but thankfully he remembered. Jerry tells his story with the freshness and purity of a man who truly loved his friend. Me and a Guy Named Elvis is not only authentic, honest, and truly moving—it is a marvel.”
—Priscilla Presley

“Jerry had the keys to the kingdom, the keys to the King’s houses, to the King’s cars, to the heart of what made Elvis a King in the first place. Here he unlocks every door and his own heart to boot. In this book, Jerry Schilling brings grace to Graceland.”
—Bono

“Jerry Schilling has captured the beauty of my father’s spirit in a way that has never been done before. I will admit that I was nervous to read another book on this subject, especially by a friend (there are not many who remain in my life from this time period, as Jerry does), but this book is by far my favorite. It is a captivating, well-written, and un-crucifying account of many historic moments that shows the real birth and evolution of Rock and Roll and how it bridged the racial divide. Jerry tells his story of a young boy growing up poor with no real family before fate changed his life during one Sunday afternoon game of football—and he tells it with humility, honesty, and dignity.”
—Lisa Marie Presley

“What Jerry Schilling has written in Me and a Guy Named Elvis is an account of one man’s experience, a personal memoir that, while it places its narrator squarely in the midst of historic events, never claims credit for those events in the way that so many self-serving memoirs are inclined to do. It is a balanced treatment of a complex subject . . . What I think distinguishes the book most of all, though, is its emotional honesty, the generosity of spirit with which Jerry seeks to emulate his friend and mentor.”
—Peter Guralnick, author of Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1954, at age 12, Schilling first met fellow Memphis homeboy Presley, a 19-year-old truck driver "a year out of high school and less than a week into a recording career that carried no guarantee of turning into steady work." He provides a fascinating view of Memphis in the late '50s, but most of his memoir is from after 1964, when he officially joined the retinue of friends—the "Memphis Mafia"—that served as Elvis's surrogate family. While this thoroughly enjoyable book deftly describes his many adventures with Elvis and other notables, including the Beatles, Ann-Margret, the Beach Boys and Billy Joel, the heart of it is his many observations of Elvis's inner exploration. Unlike the rest of Elvis's posse, Schilling was liberal in his musical and racial views, and he shared Elvis's spiritual hunger "for a sense of meaning and purpose." Schilling provides the most detailed account yet of the sometimes comical LSD trip he took with Presley, and he poignantly observes the "disappointment and frustration" Elvis felt about his Hollywood movies. Overall, Schilling's heartfelt narrative makes this more than just another piece of Elvis product. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

When 12-year-old Schilling was invited to join the older kids in their football game, he was surprised to learn that the guy calling the plays was the singer of "That's All Right (Mama)," a song currently tearing up the airwaves. Schilling eventually joined Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia, a close-knit group of bodyguards, road managers, and confidants. He had the difficult task of trying to be a true friend without becoming a yes-man or a pain in the ass. In 1977 he was one of Presley's pallbearers and later joined Elvis Presley Enterprises as creative affairs director, whose job was to protect Presley's image and legacy. Schilling's account of his years with Presley joins the ever-growing body of work written by associates (Elvis: What Happened, 1977; Good Rockin' Tonight, 1994; Elvis' Man Friday, 1994), sharing anecdotes, gossip, and insights into what made Elvis Elvis. Schilling portrays an incredibly successful, talented, charismatic, spiritual, and moody force prone to acts of extreme generosity (he paid for Schilling's West Hollywood Hills home) who was ultimately a tragic figure whose short life was beset by constant creative disappointment. Benjamin Segedin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Gotham; First Edition edition (August 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592402313
• ISBN-13: 978-1592402311
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( P ) > Presley, Elvis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schilling was there for most of Elvis' key events., December 12, 2006

By 

Paul Kyriazi "bondlife" (Los Angeles,, CA. United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley (Hardcover)

I've read all the books on Elvis. I've enjoyed them all, but Schilling's book is special because he was there playing football, just before Elvis' became famous. He drove Elvis and Priscilla to the hospital for the birth of Lisa Marie. He was in the room, after Elvis hit his head and Col. Tom layed down the law. In fact, Schilling worked for Col. Tom giving the most in depth look at Elvis' manager, that even the book on Col. Tom didn't.

He was in the room when Barbara Streisand asked Elvis to be in "Star is Born". He was in the oval office when Elvis visited president Nixon. He broke the news to Elvis about the upcoming publication of Red West's book. He was on the set for many of the movies and for the Vegas shows. He was on security when Elvis got his death threat in Vegas. He was in the room when Elvis ordered a hit be put on Mike Stone. He was in the editing room for "Stay Away, Joe". He was on the editing staff for "Elvis on Tour". He cut the "Memories" montage in it. And on and on. So many of my questions about Elvis' choices have been answered in this book, such as why he continued with the movies when they became repeditive. And why he never got to Europe or Japan.

Also it's the story about Schilling himself. His point of view. Things that happened to him. How he needed to break away from Elvis at one point and try a career in film editing. It's about Schilling's relationships with women that sometimes put his friendship with Elvis at risk. His marraige to a girl he met while in Hawaii, his romance with one of the "Sweet Inspirations". How Elvis bought him his dream house. How he immediatly got the cash out of the bank to buy the house before Vernon or the Col. could stop it.

So I think some of reviewers of this book miss the point that this is not only about Elvis, but an auto-biography of a guy that went through the 50's and 60's with a rock icon, yet tried to make a career and life of his own. Schilling spent a lot of time with Elvis alone and recounts those conversations as close as he can remember it, so I think this book captures more than other books do.

I listened to this book on CD, and although Schilling only gives the intro and interview at the end, (because the reader's voice and delivery is better)I kept putting disc after disc in to hear what would come next in Schilling's life and conversations he had with Elvis.

Now that I said the above, I'll take a stand and say, "This is the best book on Elvis."

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A True Friend of the King, June 21, 2008

By 

Tamela Mccann "taminator40" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley (Hardcover)

Jerry Schilling, original member of Elvis's entourage The Memphis Mafia, tells the events surrounding the King of Rock 'n Roll in this unique perspective, and from the opening chapter, you'll find yourself hooked. Schilling tells it all, from the beginning when he found friendship with Elvis by playing football in the park with him just as the rocker had released his first single, to the end, when Elvis passes away and Jerry's life continues. Jerry lived at Graceland and he was beside Elvis throughout the good and the bad, meeting legendary entertainers, taking care of the King, and generally having the time of his life. Jerry comes across as genuine and a true friend as he tells his story, and gives new insight into someone who lived his life inside a fishbowl.

The book isn't without its flaws, however. Do I think Schilling glossed over a few of the major issues at times, including Elvis's drug abuse and the disintegration of his marriage? Certainly. Was Schilling overly careful in his descriptions of his fellow Mafia Members? Absolutely. I personally was very let down at Schilling's lack of information about the actual death of Elvis, though to be fair, he was no longer a regular employee at the time, having chosen to go into management (including managing both Billy Joel and The Beach Boys). I feel strongly that Schilling knows more about the death than he shared, but that's his perogative, and apparently he's not comfortable letting the rest of us know. I also would've liked him to address, at least briefly, the whole "Elvis is alive" myth and lay it to rest permanently. But overall this is a very well-written, well-remembered book, and I enjoyed Schilling's recounting of the life and times the rest of us could only observe from afar. Schilling seems like a decent guy and I enjoyed learning about him almost as much as I liked the glimpse into the side of Elvis the performer tried to keep to himself. If it were possible, I'd give this one 4.5 stars. Fascinating stuff.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the best biographies on Elvis, January 9, 2007

By 

Anton Karidian (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley (Hardcover)

This is not only one of the best biographies about Elvis Presley, it's darn fun to read too. Just as Elvis's life really was, in this book you never know what will happen next. A meeting with President Nixon? A sudden skiing trip to Vail, Colorado? Helping out Elvis's handicapped friend Gary Pepper? Ann-Margret suddenly appearing in the parlor? There are lots of great stories here, several of which I had never heard, or contain details I had not heard, though I know quite a lot about the King. Not only that, Schilling provides a good look at Elvis's personality, and it's all told in the level-headed and fair manner that Schilling is known for. I had always admired Jerry Schilling from seeing him interviewed for documentaries about the King, and I admire him even more after reading this. Over and over he writes about the deep friendship between himself and Elvis, and there certainly are few people who were present in the King's life more than Schilling was. The main qualities about Elvis that Schilling emphasizes are his talent, his generosity, and his endless quest for meaning in life.

Some of Elvis's "friends" have written and spoken about him critically to an extent that make me wonder if they were mainly trying to sell their books. In contrast, although Schilling also recounts Elvis's moodiness and bad temper, he puts that in perspective by adding that "what's remarkable to me is not the handful of times that he did let a crazy temper get the better of him - what's remarkable is that, with all that went on in his life, most of the time he chose to be a nice guy." This book is full of apt observations like that, and gives great character portraits of many people. Elvis's manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker, gets his share of vivid vignettes, and while Schilling acknowledges that Parker was often very difficult and thwarted Elvis's creativity, he again attempts a balanced view by noting that "I'd often wondered if anyone less than the Colonel could have handled this powerful, unique talent."

Schilling is also a life-long admirer of Elvis's music, and discusses it to a moderate extent, but ME AND A GUY NAMED ELVIS is primarily a biography of Elvis's personal life, and also is autobiographical about Jerry Schilling himself, although most of the book pertains to his connection to Elvis. I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because of what is NOT told, such as the lack of detail about Elvis's music, as well as little told about his political and social beliefs. Incidentally, this book started out rather slowly for me when Schilling was describing his own early life, and only grabbed my attention after he meets Elvis when both were teenagers, so don't give up at the beginning if this is true for you as well. A more comprehensive, but less personal, biography on Elvis is the 2-volume one by Peter Guralnick (Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley), but they total about 1300 pages, whereas this one is slightly less than 350. ME AND A GUY NAMED ELVIS is a very worthy addition to the books that have been written about Elvis Presley.