The Memphis Mafia was the nickname given by the media to a group of Elvis Presley 's friends, associates, employees and cousins whose main functions were to accompany, protect, and serve Presley from the beginning of his career in 1954 until his death in 1977. Several members filled practical roles; for instance, they were employed to work for Presley as bodyguards or on tour logistics and scheduling. In these cases Presley paid salaries, but most lived off fringe benefits such as gifts, cars, houses and bonuses. Over the years, the number of members grew and changed, but for the most part there was a core group who spent much time with Presley.
57-539: Elvis preferred men around him who were loyal, trustworthy and deferential. Thus family members and friends of his youth were very important to him. "For the first time in his life, he had a group of male friends to pal around with, and he relished being the leader of the pack." The group began with Elvis' first cousins Junior and Gene Smith, who accompanied Elvis everywhere, along with Elvis' high school friend Red West , and rockabilly singer Cliff Gleaves [ de ] . At that time Judy Spreckels seems to have been
114-803: A Grammy for his liner notes for Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club in 1994, one of his six nominations for the award. He wrote and co-produced a documentary film: Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll . He also wrote the script for the blues documentary, Feel like Going Home , directed by Martin Scorsese . In 2020, he released Looking to Get Lost , a “book about creativity,” featuring subjects like songwriters Doc Pomus and Leiber & Stoller, musicians Johnny Cash, Solomon Burke and Tammy Wynette, among others, and of writers Lee Smith and Henry Green, as well as Elvis Presley's infamous manager, Colonel Tom Parker . The Peter Guralnick Collection
171-660: A Senegalese man in Winston-Salem , North Carolina . The film received positive reviews and critic Roger Ebert remarked that "West isn't playing himself, but he evokes his character so fully that he might as well be. West's face is a map of hard living". His last film role was in the 2013 film Safe Haven as Roger, an elderly store clerk in Southport , North Carolina . West died on July 18, 2017, aged 81, from an aortic aneurysm , at Baptist Memorial Hospital in his native Memphis. His death occurred less than two months after
228-475: A bunch of old men, but the Memphis Mafia had become almost as well known around town as Frank Sinatra 's Rat Pack " and that Elvis and his guys were all "living on speed and tranqs". For Joe Esposito, "it was a party like you wouldn't believe. Go to a different show every night, then pick up a bunch of women afterwards, go party the next night. Go to the lounges, see Fats Domino , Della Reese , Jackie Wilson ,
285-507: A crowd of people in front of the Riviera Hotel watched as two big black limousines arrived. Elvis and his friends got out of the two cars and someone in the crowd yelled, "Who are they, the Mafia?" and a newspaper reporter picked up the story. The Memphis Mafia members themselves say on their website that Elvis liked the name and it stuck. These original Memphis Mafia members at the time the phrase
342-418: A crowd then, just a few guys," and she emphasizes that she "had nothing to do with being a yes man for him and obviously he trusted me." Among "the first to live, travel and play with Elvis" were cousins Red West and Sonny West , as well as Billy Smith (who was with Elvis from the start to the end and the only original member still with Elvis after 1976), Charlie Hodge , Mevlana Hezri, and Joe Esposito . Over
399-447: A favorable review. His two-volume biography of Elvis Presley , Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley in 1994, followed by Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley in 1999, placed the story of Presley's career into a rise and fall arc. Encompassing more than 1,300 pages (including 1,150 pages of text), the work was an in-depth, scholarly examination of Presley's life and music. Guralnick previously wrote about Presley in
456-567: A film. Among Memphis natives, he was most known for renting out the entire Memphis amusement park Libertyland in order to ride his favorite roller coaster , the Zippin Pippin . Professional handlers and celebrity security experts had not yet evolved. Presley faced repeated threats of physical violence from outraged moral extremists and death threats from fanatics, as would later happen when he performed in Las Vegas. These threats were kept out of
513-654: A henchman) in the CBS TV series The Wild Wild West and was personally friendly with that show's primary star, Robert Conrad. West was one member of a group of stuntmen used frequently by the show. West was credited in S3 E14 "The Night of the Iron Fist" as playing Roy (1967). He played Klaxton in S3 E18 "The Night of the Vipers" (1968). West was severely injured in a stunt gone awry while filming
570-455: A stunt double. "[W]hen I came back for the fourth season, I was limited to what I could do for insurance reasons," Conrad explained. "So I agreed and gradually I did all the fights but couldn't do anything five feet off the ground and of course that went out the window." After this incident, the show began using a common stunt technique, which filmmakers refer to as "the Texas Switch", in which
627-434: A stuntman would start the stunt before the main star appeared at its end to continue the show., was often used by Ross Martin and his double, Bob Herron. Conrad criticized congressional pressure for years afterwards, but in other interviews he admitted that it probably was time to cancel the series because he felt that he and the stuntmen were pushing their luck. He also believed the role had hurt his craft. West also played
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#1733085874371684-575: A “…national treasure;” Bob Dylan said Guralnick's book, Last Train to Memphis “…cancels out all others.” Guralnick's first two books, Almost Grown (1964) and Mister Downchild (1967), were collections of short stories published by the Larry Stark Press , a small press in Cambridge, Massachusetts , devoted to stories and poems. Mona Dickson, writing in MIT's The Tech (May 13, 1964) gave Almost Grown
741-440: Is an American music critic , author, and screenwriter. He specializes in the history of early rock and roll and has written books on Elvis Presley , Sam Phillips , and Sam Cooke . Guralnick graduated from Boston University in 1971 with a master's degree in creative writing. He then began writing books about the history of rock'n'roll, blues , country music , and soul music . Music critic Nat Hentoff called Guralnick
798-428: Is characterized by a colloquial approach that is clean and understated by comparison. He has been called "the dean of rock 'n' roll storytellers". Guralnick wrote the 727-page biography of influential record producer Sam Phillips entitled Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll . He also penned the script for A&E 's documentary of the same name, narrated by Billy Bob Thornton . On October 21, 2016, it
855-879: Is located in the Southern Folklife Collection of the Wilson Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Peter Guralnick's parents were oral surgeon Walter Guralnick , DMD, who helped to establish dental insurance in Massachusetts through Delta Dental , and Betty Marson Guralnick. Peter also has a sister, Susan and brother, Thomas. In 1971, he succeeded his grandfather as director of an athletic camp for boys, Camp Alton on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire . The camp closed in 1992. He has been married for over 45 years to Alexandra. They have
912-555: The Knight Rider pilot episode "Knight of the Phoenix", on The Fall Guy , Simon & Simon and in " The Once and Future King ", an episode of The Twilight Zone which concerned Presley. In 1989, West appeared in the action film Road House with Patrick Swayze as Red Webster, the auto parts store owner. West played the lead role in the 2008 independent film Goodbye Solo as William, an elderly depressed man who befriends
969-494: The Wests were writing a "tell-all book" about Elvis, which included the disclosure of Elvis' addiction to prescribed pain medications, he was furious as well as "hurt". Elvis and Parker discussed offering the Wests a monetary settlement in return for a written agreement the book would not be published, and their experiences with Elvis, on stage and off would remain confidential. An agreement
1026-401: The "Memphis Mafia" usually played "a game called 'War', of which Elvis was the proud inventor. There were two teams, and the object of the game was to knock over as many members of the opposing team as possible by any means." Another game was called the 'Whip' game. "Elvis's idea of an exciting game was that it should be as dangerous as possible", such as the game that involved fireworks. "Some of
1083-412: The 1960s, which rose to $ 425 per week in the 1970s, however one pay stub does exist that showed a weekly pay of only $ 35 for the '63-65 era. Each Christmas all Presley employees received bonus checks. Some members of this inner circle became close friends who served as replacements for the normal everyday friendships Presley's fame would not allow. Marty Lacker and Elvis' cousin, Billy Smith, were probably
1140-502: The 1976 first edition of The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll ; his article has been reprinted in each subsequent edition. He also contributed the complete text for the 240-page hardcover book accompanying the 2010 30-disc CD boxed set, The Complete Elvis Presley Masters . In contrast to contemporaries such as Lester Bangs , Ian Penman and Nick Tosches , whose music writings are marked by idiosyncratic, self-referential and highly personal styles, Guralnick's writing
1197-606: The Four Aces , the Dominoes – all the old acts. We'd stay there and never sleep, we were all taking pills just so we could keep up with each other." When Presley emerged as a major celebrity in 1956, he was constantly besieged by adoring fans and the press, making a normal lifestyle impossible. However, Presley's enormous wealth allowed him an ability to separate himself from the general public, especially in his home city of Memphis. For example, he would rent an entire movie theater to watch
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#17330858743711254-465: The King when he felt like it." noted Buzz Cason . Marty Lacker states, "Everyone had assigned responsibilities and they were far from leeches, hangers on or whatever else they were called." "They all had jobs to do so that Elvis could do his and as far as being there for the money, that's laughable because there really wasn't much in that area to be there for." Marty went on to say, "Most of us were not there for
1311-753: The Masters in Fine Arts program, ranked by Poets & Writers Magazine as one of the top 15 such programs in the US. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010; his works – Feel Like Going Home: Portraits in Blues, Country and Rock 'n' Roll, Lost Highway: Journeys & Arrivals of American Musicians, Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm & Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom were designated as blues literature classics. He won
1368-455: The Memphis Mafia would buy up to $ 15,000 worth of fireworks in today's money, including skyrockets, baby giants, firecrackers, and chasers, which moved rapidly and unpredictably until they exploded. Since the emphasis was on large and potentially lethal fireworks, everyone had to wear air force jump-suits plus gloves, helmets, and goggles. When they were all dressed up, they divided themselves into Blue and Red teams, and started hurling fireworks at
1425-532: The Memphis Mafia. They were a big family and Elvis lived in a "milieu of a protective brotherhood." Gerald Marzorati says that Elvis "couldn't go anywhere else without a phalanx of boyhood friends." Even the girls he dated lamented, "Whenever you were with Elvis for the most part you were with his entourage. Those guys were always around". According to Presley's cousin Billy Smith, Elvis got into bed with Smith and his wife Jo "many times at Graceland when we would spend
1482-482: The closest true friends of Elvis according to some in the group. Known for his generosity (attributed by Presley himself to an impoverished childhood), he bought some of these employees homes as wedding gifts and frequently bought new Cadillac automobiles for employees, relatives and friends. Elvis' father Vernon increasingly distrusted and disliked many members of the Memphis Mafia as Elvis' financial condition deteriorated in 1972. Presley's rapid financial deterioration
1539-419: The concert. Lamar Fike handled Elvis' stage lighting. Red and Sonny West were Elvis' bodyguards (although Red West also had a talent for writing songs, including some recorded by Elvis such as "If Everyday Was Like Christmas" and then "Separate Ways"). Marty Lacker was a brutally honest "sounding board" advisor, Jerry Schilling gave advice about what other groups were using for audio equipment etc., and Billy Smith
1596-664: The death of his cousin, actor Sonny West , in May 2017. His funeral and burial at Memorial Park Cemetery was held on July 24 in Memphis. In John Carpenter 's 1979 film Elvis , West was portrayed by Robert Gray . West was also portrayed by his son John Boyd West in the 2005 Golden Globe winning CBS mini-series Elvis and in the 21st episode of the fifth season of Quantum Leap , Memphis Melody. Peter Guralnick Peter Guralnick (born December 15, 1943, in Boston , Massachusetts )
1653-479: The episode "The Night of the Avaricious Actuary"; according to Conrad and the show's stuntman and choreographer Whitey Hughes, West had broken his skull during one incident on the show (but they do not specify during the filming of which episode that this injury occurred). The show was ultimately eventually cancelled because of pressure from President Lyndon B. Johnson , members of Congress, and concerns from
1710-586: The group through the years but some of the more prominent members were Joe Esposito, Lamar Fike, Alan Fortas, George Klein , Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Richard Davis, Red West , Sonny West, Dave Hebler, Al Strada, Dr. Nick, Larry Geller , Charlie Hodge , Jerry Schilling , Sam Thompson and Gene Smith. Each man had specific duties. Joe Esposito served as Presley's chief road manager and personal aide for 17 years. Marty Lacker, another aide, also served as Presley's chief personal aide for several years. Esposito and Lacker were Presley's best men at his wedding. Sonny West
1767-411: The guys: "various members of the Memphis Mafia had ... played vital roles in keeping Elvis' numerous dirty secrets out of the public eye. A couple of them had been arrested with false prescriptions attempting to collect drugs for Elvis, quite a few had taken physical hits in the service of protecting Elvis and none were paid more than $ 500 a week. For that they were often shouted at, abused and belittled by
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1824-649: The last two weeks of his life. In numerous press conferences concerning Elvis: What Happened? , both of the West cousins stated they wrote the book in part to make Elvis realize that his dependence on prescription medications was (literally) killing him. They stated they hoped their book would "shock" Elvis into seeking medical care away from the physicians who were complicit in prescribing Elvis large amounts of prescription medications and fully resting and becoming "clean" off of these prescribed drugs. Elvis Presley reportedly spent days and nights with his friends and employees from
1881-563: The letters and lightning bolt in various ways before they found what they liked. Rolling Stone journalist William Otterburn-Hall describes the men as close around the star "like a football scrum after a loose ball". He relates that they were a "friendly bunch" who, when Elvis began to sing just for fun during his interview, followed "suit, singing, clowning, all on their feet". According to Patrick Humphries, they "acted as Elvis' bodyguards, babysitters, drug procurers, girl-getters, mates and car buyers." The author also mentions other functions of
1938-481: The manner in which the Wests interacted with fans. After being in Elvis' employment for two decades, both Red and Sonny were only paid a few weeks' severance pay. Their requests to speak directly to Elvis about their employment termination and the nominal severance pay were not granted. Red West, Sonny West, and Elvis himself felt betrayed, and all parties were reportedly upset over the firings. When Parker informed Elvis that
1995-403: The money, we were there because we all cared about Elvis and each other like brothers." The Memphis Mafia had specific jobs. Joe Esposito handled money and cross referenced the extensive travel arrangements. Charlie Hodge harmonized with Elvis, played background acoustic guitar, and gave him scarves and beverages during concerts, as well as being responsible for inspecting each stage layout before
2052-543: The night there in Lisa's room, or on tour in the hotel, and at the trailer on the property at Graceland. ... we were all three there talking for hours about everything in the world! Sometimes he would have a bad dream and come looking for me to talk to, and he would actually fall asleep in our bed with us. That happened a lot of times, and we thought nothing of it." When they rented the Rainbow Rollerdrome in Memphis, Elvis and
2109-540: The only woman. She describes herself as having been like a sister to Elvis, a companion, confidante and keeper of secrets in the exciting days of his early career. "Elvis was surrounded by the first wave of what would become known as the Memphis Mafia." She says that she "was with him and the guys all the time." They drove bumper cars in Las Vegas Valley , rode horses in California and hung out at Graceland . "There wasn't
2166-534: The other team; Elvis was left with a big scar on his neck from one firework, and one of his friends nearly lost an eye." Since the late 1970s, some former members of the Memphis Mafia have written books on Elvis. The first exposé book, Elvis: What Happened? , appeared in 1977 shortly before Elvis's death. This so-called Bodyguard book came from the West cousins and Dave Hebler, fired by Presley's father. They wrote about Presley's years of prescription drug abuse which eventually led to his death. Elvis had "even offered
2223-507: The press for fear of triggering even more. For both his security needs and touring support, Presley hired people chosen from among those he could trust and depend on to manage his public appearances. This entourage included first cousins and several of Presley's friends from his boyhood in a poor Memphis housing project plus junior and senior high school friends and early employees from Memphis such as Alan Fortas, nephew of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas . Many people were employed with
2280-505: The public over violence on television, which all of whom were concerned was causing, or would cause, an increase in violence across the country. Conrad himself also suffered a concussion falling from a chandelier in "The Night of the Fugitives" (and other injuries at various points of the series' production, including a "6-inch fracture of the skull, high temporal concussion, [and] partial paralysis." ; after this, CBS insisted that he defer to
2337-643: The publishers money not to go ahead with it. For Vernon the book was proof of his long-held distrust and dislike not just of those three but of the whole of the Memphis Mafia ..." Even George Klein, who chastised and shunned other members of the group for writing books about Elvis, ended up writing a book as well. In 2007, Sonny West released Elvis: Still Takin' Care of Business , which was a softer look at his relationship with Presley. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/elvis-presley-on-set-you-wont-ask-elvis-anything-too-deep-69906/ Red West Robert Gene " Red " West (March 8, 1936 – July 18, 2017)
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2394-446: The role of Sheriff Tanner of Alcorn County, Mississippi in the 1973 film Walking Tall . He also reprised the role in the 1975 film Walking Tall Part 2 . West played the ornery, sometimes violent Master Sergeant Andy Micklin on Black Sheep Squadron . He guest starred twice on the CBS hit detective series Magnum, P.I. as different characters, as five different ones on The A-Team ,
2451-598: The song " Separate Ways " with Richard Mainegra for Elvis in 1972, and " If You Talk in Your Sleep " with Johnny Christopher for Presley's 1975 album Promised Land . Red wrote " If Every Day Was Like Christmas ", recorded by Presley in 1966. In addition to writing for Elvis, Red had songs recorded by Pat Boone , Rick Nelson , Johnny Burnette , Johnny Rivers , Dino, Desi & Billy , Petula Clark , Gary Puckett & The Union Gap , Andre Kostelanetz and His Orchestra, and Little Milton , among others. In 1976, West
2508-412: The star's films. During this time, West became good friends with actor Nick Adams and his physical abilities got him hired on as a stuntman on Adams' television series , The Rebel . From there, West went on to do more stunt work in film as well as developing a career as an actor in a number of motion pictures and on television. He frequently served as a stuntman and occasional actor (often playing
2565-422: The tail of his private jet painted with the initials "TCB" and a lightning bolt and gave away gold and diamond chain necklaces with TCB (and TLC ) logos as gifts. Elvis' wife Priscilla helped with the creation of this logo on a flight through stormy conditions. A lightning bolt flashed across the sky in front of them, and Elvis took inspiration from it. Priscilla sketched out the design on note paper, positioning
2622-407: The years they were joined on the payroll by Alan Fortas, Richard Davis , Marty Lacker, Jimmy Kingsley, "Chief" Ray Sitton, Jerry Schilling , Mike Keeton, Dave Hebler, Sam Thompson and numerous others. Around 1960, the media dubbed these people the "Memphis Mafia". This first referred to their image, as they usually cruised the city in black mohair suits and dark sunglasses. According to one account,
2679-473: Was a boxer in the Golden Gloves championships. In 1961, West married his wife Pat Boyd who was Elvis' secretary. Together, they had two children. West collaborated with Elvis Presley on two songs in 1961 and 1962, which Elvis got a token credit on, " That's Someone You Never Forget " and " You'll Be Gone ". "That's Someone You Never Forget" is the final track on the 1962 album Pot Luck . The song
2736-648: Was a "Jack of All Trades". Peter Guralnick writes that Elvis spent all day and night with the members from the Memphis Mafia: "For Elvis and the guys ... Hollywood was just an open invitation to party all night long. Sometimes they would hang out with Sammy Davis Jr. , or check out Bobby Darin at the Cloister. Nick Adams and his gang came by the suite all the time, not to mention the eccentric actor Billy Murphy , longtime friend of John Wayne and Robert Mitchum ". Guralnick adds "The Colonel joked that they looked like
2793-701: Was also known to American film audiences for his role as Red in Road House , alongside Patrick Swayze . West appeared to critical acclaim in the 2008 independent film Goodbye Solo as William. West was born in Memphis, Tennessee , to Lois and Newton Thomas West. West was the cousin of actor 'Sonny' West . While attending high school in Tennessee, West and Sonny met Elvis Presley . An excellent athlete and U.S. Marine , West played football for his high school and junior college at Jones County Junior College teams and
2850-510: Was an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter. He was known for being a close confidant and bodyguard for rock and roll singer Elvis Presley . Upon his firing, West co-wrote the controversial Elvis: What Happened? , a tell all book about Elvis co written with a Rupert Murdoch journalist; the book was published in May 1977 in UK and later in USA (just two weeks before Presley's August 1977 death). West
2907-622: Was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio will portray Sam Phillips in the forthcoming film based on Guralnick's book. Guralnick scripted the Grammy Award-winning Sam Cooke – Legend , narrated by Jeffrey Wright . He has written liner notes for albums including Charlie Rich 's last album Pictures and Paintings and the last three Jerry Lee Lewis albums Last Man Standing , Mean Old Man and Rock and Roll Time . He began teaching at Vanderbilt University in Nashville in 2005 in
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#17330858743712964-453: Was coined were cousins Sonny West , and Red West , as well as Billy Smith, and Charlie Hodge , among others. Presley and his friends and employees also adopted the acronym TCB which meant " T aking C are of B usiness". Elvis came up with the phrase after hearing the 1973 hit song “Taking Care of Business” by the Canadian rock band, Bachman–Turner Overdrive , also known as BTO. Presley had
3021-564: Was criticized in the media for his involvement in a series of heavy-handed incidents with fans in Las Vegas . Elvis's father fired West, his cousin Sonny , and bodyguard David Hebler. The three subsequently looked for publishers to make money by writing the tell all book Elvis: What Happened? When Presley was making films in the 1960s in Hollywood , Red West appeared in small roles in sixteen of
3078-404: Was not reached, and when Elvis received a copy of the book entitled Elvis: What Happened? (which was first published on July 12, 1977), he worried that his reputation would be adversely affected. Most of all, Elvis was concerned his daughter Lisa Marie , would be adversely affected by the contents of the book. The publication of the book bothered Elvis on a personal and professional level during
3135-413: Was partly a result of his divorce from Priscilla , which was finalized on October 9, 1973, as well as Colonel Tom Parker 's exorbitant percentage of Presley's earnings. The most publicized fallout came when Vernon Presley fired Elvis' longtime friends Red West and Sonny West on July 13, 1976. Elvis' expenses were increasing at an alarming rate, and there were complaints and threats of lawsuits about
3192-677: Was released as a 45-rpm B-side single in 1967 and features on the Artist of the Century compilation. "You'll Be Gone" is a bonus track on the Girl Happy soundtrack LP. West co-wrote "If You Think I Don't Need You" with Joey Cooper for the motion picture Viva Las Vegas . He teamed up with Joey Cooper again on "I'm A Fool", which Ricky Nelson recorded, and which was later a hit for Dino, Desi and Billy (the partnership of Dean-Paul "Dino" Martin , Desi Arnaz Jr. , and William "Billy" Hinsche). West cowrote
3249-503: Was responsible for security at Presley concerts. Red West was one of Presley's earliest friends from their school days, his first bodyguard which he would remain until the last year of Presley's life, and in 1954 had acted as a driver for Presley, Scotty Moore , and Bill Black when they first toured the American South performing as the "Blue Moon Boys." Priscilla Presley said these employees were paid an average of $ 250 per week during
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