I was listening to the Elvis Channel
today; the only channel I ever listen to on Sirius Radio; (though I’m paying
“an arm and a leg” for my yearly subscription).
And while I love many (though not all)
of Elvis’ songs, I love the stories surrounding “The King of Rock ‘n Roll” even
more. And it seems the vast majority of the stories on the Elvis Channel are
told during George Klein’s segments.
Old George was, perhaps, Elvis’ best
friend during high school, went on to work for him, and forty years after Elvis
“left the building,” (and though he is in his 80’s now) continues as the main
DJ on the channel named after his childhood buddy.
I confess. I love stories about Elvis
so much that I almost always transcribe them into blogs, and post them on my
social media page and internet blogsite. The story I heard yesterday is no
exception.
As my wife and I were on the way to a
movie in a nearby town, I was listening to the George Klein broadcast. He
happened to be interviewing one of Elvis’ former band members, a guitarist,
named T.G. Sheppard.
T.G. told a couple of funny stories
which had little or nothing to do with Elvis.
Well after Elvis went on to his
reward, it seemed he and a few other musicians were playing a concert before
20,000 patrons. And as they “strutted their stuff,” Sheppard realized that the
longer he sang, the greater the sensation that his pants were becoming
increasingly wetter.
Well, he said he looked up at the sky and
realized it wasn’t raining, and he knew he hadn’t “lost his bladder.” Yet, his
pants were so wet he became concerned for his modesty; (since his trousers were
made of the sort of material which becomes virtually see through when wet).
Pt. 2
Suddenly, he looked down below the
stage, and noticed an 8 or 10 year old boy with a squirt gun, and he was
unloading the H2O on his lower anatomy. With an embarrassed chuckle, Elvis’
former guitarist explained his predicament to his audience, and they roared
with laughter.
However, Mr. Sheppard’s next story was
the one I had “been waiting for.”
Somewhere along the way, Elvis became
aware of T.G.’s plans to branch out on his own, and, of course, he wanted to do
something nice for him to thank him for a job well done.
Sheppard continued,
“One day I received a message from the
King, and night or day, well, you just didn’t ignore a summons from Elvis. As a
result, I jumped behind the wheel of my old jalopy, and ‘set sail’ for
Graceland.
As I drove through the gate, and
pulled up in front of the mansion, I noticed a brand new tour bus sitting in
the grass. I honestly didn’t think all that much about it since Elvis had
important friends in high places. However, as I slowed to a stop, unstrapped my
seat belt, and stepped out of the car, Elvis came ‘bee bopping’ out of the
front door, wearing this humongous grin, and exclaimed,
‘T.G., this is your bus.’
To which I responded,
Elvis, I don’t need no bus. I don’t
even have a band!
Well, with this my famous friend laughed,
and replied,
‘T.G., I bought you a bus, but I ain’t
buying you no _____ band!’”
Pt. 3
By now I have heard too many such
stories on the Elvis Channel. Elvis knew how to be a friend, and he never
forgot his humble beginnings. He simply wanted “to do” for his friends, and
those who were loyal to him.
So often, George Klein have spoken
about times when Elvis’ birthday was approaching or Christmas was drawing near.
And at times such as this, he would ask Elvis what he needed; what could he
could get for him. And, without fail, Presley would always grow serious, and
assure him,
“George, I got everything I ever
needed, or for that matter, which I ever wanted. I don’t need nothing
George…except your loyalty.”
Of course, this didn’t keep Elvis from
purchasing some pretty lavish gifts for his buddies in what become known as,
“The Taking Care of Business Band” (TCB).
He was famous for buying his buddies
some pretty unique, and sometimes exquisite gifts. Klein tells how Presley
bought him a Poodle; (which he attempted to turn down) having said,
“Elvis, I’m a single man, and you know
I’m gone a lot. I don’t need no Poodle.”
But the King wouldn’t take ‘No’ for an
answer, and told George to take her and name her, “E.P.,” (his initials), but
to pronounce the name, “Eppie.” The DJ owned the dog for many years.
Perhaps Elvis’ two favorite gifts were
diamond rings and Cadillacs. G.K. (“The Jeeker in Your Speaker”) was certainly
no exception to the rule.
One evening he received a call from
his friend and employer; who summoned him to a non-descript building in the
heart of Memphis. When George arrived, Elvis was standing by the curb waiting
for him. Smiling, Presley threw his arm around him, walked him one building
over, and into the showroom of a Cadillac dealer; where he threw open the
driver’s door of a red Cadillac, and told him to get in. Later, he gave the
Jeeker a diamond encrusted ring; which he still wears today.
Elvis was far from perfect, but one thing can be said for Elvis.
He knew how to be a friend, and to befriend a friend.
And “you just can’t take that away.”
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending. 2017
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