ELVIS ROCKS ON

I belong to a WebTv Elvis Group, which you've heard about from several pages on my website...The name of this group is "Elvis Rocks On." I thought a page dedicated to the members would be appropiate - gives you a chance to see what Great friends I have and they decided to share a little about themselves, so let's meet them.

MIKE

MIKE lives in Missouri and he's the one that created our group on April 14, 2001. He got the idea from another group that existed at one time, which was also a WebTv Elvis group.

He can tell you in his own words: "Since I enjoyed posting and sharing information with other Elvis fans, I saw it as a great opportunity to keep the fans together in a new NG and to give them a place in which there is no arguing or fighting within the group. The reason it works is because I consider everybody there to be a friend. When Elvis fans visit there, they know what they can expect. If they are fans of Elvis, they should enjoy reading and checking us out. I want the group to be a place that they will always enjoy (not only) reading, but, also participating at."

And I would like to add, Mike does a GREAT JOB and he really works hard and his posts are very interesting and informative...I've been an Elvis fan forever, and I still learn new things from his posts. So, why don't you webbies (it's for webtv only) come on over and check it out? We can be found Here

Now, here in his own words, again, is Mike:

I am known online as MIKE++TCB. I have been an Elvis fan for most of my life. As a child I recall going to a Drive-In with my parents to see "Speedway". A couple years later I also saw the documentary "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" when it came out.

I have never been fortunate enough to see Elvis live in concert, but, I have been to Graceland many times over the years, the first being in 1978 (prior to it opening for tours) and the last time was sometime last year, 2003. There were years when I went two and three times during the year. Every trip that I have made there has been as enjoyable as the previous one. Graceland gives us fans the opportunity to feel that closeness to Elvis that we can't get elsewhere. I have not been to Tupelo since the 1990's. I recall going there twice.

To me, I see Elvis as a friend that I have never known personally. If I ever felt down I could play an Elvis song or watch an Elvis movie and I would forget about anything that might have been going on at the time. He also cared alot about the fans, and in return we all loved and respected him.

When Elvis died, it was like losing a family member. It was a very sad time. His music and movies have always been a very important part of my life through the years, and they always will be. The King is gone but his music and memory will forever live on. To me, he was, is, and always will be the single greatest entertainer that ever lived..........Elvis Rocks On Forever!

And now, here's Tony

TONY

I'm Tony and I live in northwestern Georgia. I can't recall the first time that I saw or heard of Elvis. I was born in 1954, so I couldn't possibly remember "Hound Dog" when it first came out, but I do recall the song from my childhood. I can remember in the early sixties seeing the LP, "Blue Hawaii" atop the stereo in my best friend's home. I guess it belonged to his mother or older brother.

I became a fan at the age of 14 when I saw the Singer special on TV. Until then, I'd never really paid much attention to Elvis.

I consider myself fortunate to have seen Elvis in concert on two occasions, both in Atlanta at the Omni, in '73 and '75. I saw him arriving outside for the first show and have always regretted not trying for an autograph.

During Labor Day week, '96, I visited Graceland and Tupelo and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I hope to return someday and spend more time in each city.

I think I've been posting in Mike's NG since its inception. My favorite Elvis era is the fifties and my least favorite is the seventies. My favorite Elvis tune is "I Was The One," and my favorite Rock & Roll song is "Ready Teddy."

A few of my favorite Elvis films are "King Creole," "Follow That Dream," "Roustabout," "Loving You," "Tickle Me," etc.

And now for June

JUNE

June, from Nashville, TN...I first saw Elvis, really before I even knew who he was: at the Grand Ole Opry, I can't remember the year tho, seems like (1955). At that time, only me and the younger folks liked him, the older & more established singers didn't think he could sing & told him they didn't think he was good enough to be a singer, that he had better stick to driving a truck to make a living. He was "real handsome, young, and full of energy, but I remembered how polite he was. But even then, he knew the effect he had on young girls and women. He even gave me a kiss. I have liked him ever since.

A few months later, a musician friend of mine was invited to Studio B of RCA in Nashville for his first recording (late at night). I felt so honored to be in his presence and treated just like a friend. Alert that it seemed like he just "took off" with personal appearances, tv specials, more records, Col. Parker, who lived in Madison TN, right outside of Nashvile starting promoting (using him), but he really know HOW to get exposure the fastest way for him. He was very dedicated and true to his "people" of his "inner-circle".

At about that time he got involved with the Jordanaires, a great group, but none of them believed in a contract for protection, It was just a gentlemen's agreement, shook hands, and that sealed the deals for life. All of them were straight shooters, and were as honest as a human could be, He took off like lightening..there was no stopping him.

He had a great time, loved everyone when he first started out, I think he was naive and just wanted to sing his songs to make people and himself happy. I believe it took him a while to see what all the "fuss" was about, he was doing what he liked to do, and he was amazed.

After that, I got to see him in 5 concerts. The first one was in Murfreesboro, and one in Nashvile, one in Alabama and in Georgia. All those concerts were in person, and I saw, everyone that was on the air, Hawaii, plus I have seen all his movies, (wish I had bought them) but didn't think of it at the time, maybe someday I will.

I will always believe he had a very SPECIAL talent that makes the world everywhere, accept, admire, and just actually can't get enough of him. He has made a larger impact on our world today than ANYONE else in History. with the exception of one and that is OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, MAY HIS MUSIC & MEMORY LIVE FOREVER.

Oh yes, I have been to GRACELAND, many times before his death, and after his death. I even went down there when he first bought it, and it sat back off the road, which wasn't very wide either, LOTS OF CHANGES have surely been made to the grounds around the mansion from when he first bought it. I have gone down sometimes when they have memorial services each August.

And next is Bill

BILL

Bill~Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1964 and that's where I still live.

I'm 48 (going on 14...LOL) I've been married 31 years as of April 23...I have 4 kids, ages, son 30, son 29, daughter 27, son 26 and 11 grand children ranging from 5 months to 14 years..

I got into Elvis' music in 1968 when I was 13. In a very short time I was a fanatic, not just a fan. I always told my friends that Elvis sang my life. Growing up I was shy around girls. I was also dumped a lot, and dumped on a lot..

I was raised as a gentleman, to open doors for a lady. I wasn't like other guys my age then, I wanted a girlfriend to want me not for sex, but just to say this is the guy I want or love. I didn't get that. Just dumped, so I guess that is why I got heavy into the sad love ballads..

I met my wife through my best friend...they were dating and later I ran back into her and she ask me out. We dated about 2 or 3 weeks and got married. The day before we got married (on 4-22-1973) we saw Elvis on stage, in concert in Phoenix, AZ. Boy was it great! The building could have exploded and I wouldn't have noticed. Then I was hooked for life. I bought anything with Elvis on it. If anyone said anything bad about him I was ready to fight.

As I got older I found out I was developing problems. I have a severe panic disorder, chronic depression, and have dissociative episodes. So that has kept me from traveling. I always wanted, so bad, to see Graceland, but I'll have to live it through others. I like other music but my favorite will always be Elvis. No one has ever, or will ever, do it better.

And here's Elvira...she Loves to write about Elvis :-)

ELVIRA

I'm Elvira from Ohio. I have been an Elvis fan from 1956. In l994 I was privileged to go to Graceland. I took the tour on two different days of that week. So, I guess I could say that I have been to Graceland twice.

In 1971 I first saw Elvis live in concert. That is when I started calling myself an Elvis fan(atic). After being in the same place with him and experiencing his charisma and magnetism, everything got more intense. I was fortunate enough to see him live in concert four more times. I saw him 3 times in l976. Once in Cincinnati, OH, once in Louisville, KY and once in Dayton, OH. And, in l977, I attended the next to the last concert he ever did. He appeared in Cincinnati, OH on June 25th and in Indianapolis, IN on the next night. Indianapolis, IN was the last concert for our beloved Elvis.

From l956 Elvis was a part of my life, his music and movies, tv specials and live concerts. He also felt to me like a part of my family. I can recall on days that I was bored or in a low mood, I would go out and buy a movie magazine to see what Elvis was up to. Having Elvis in my world, through means, made my world seem a better place.

About l975, my nephew and nieces were into the Beatles and the Monkees, etc... and they liked to tell me that Elvis was washed up and would not be known in twenty-five years. That is when I decided to start a scrapbook on Elvis; and I told them, we would see how long Elvis would be remembered. That is how my Elvis collection began. I collect almost anything about Elvis; but mostly, I collect his music, books, video tapes and photos.

There were times in my life when Elvis' music helped me through rough times. His soothing voice calmed my grief when I experienced the first death that really touched my life, that of my 20 year old brother. This bother was the one who brought home the first Elvis 45rpm and had me play it for him on my phonograph. I remember it was Rip It Up. From then on, whenever a new Elvis single came out my brother would tell me and I would give him the 99 cents and he would buy the record. Losing him was, to me, like Elvis losing his mother. I have experienced losing loved ones since them; but this was the hardest until I lost Elvis, too.

Elvis, through his many venues, gave me some of the happiest, most memorable times of my life. too. I am so glad that I was fortunate to live in the same era that Elvis lived and that he was a treasured part of my life. then, now and always. When I start writing about Elvis, I never know when to stop! :)

When I added the "Help Elvis" link to my site, Elvira was among the 1st to respond and, with her permission, I'd like to share with you what she wrote. It touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes

Where do I begin to tell the positives of Elvis?

As a fan who was not privileged to have a personal kinship or friendship with him, I can only relate what I have read or heard about his life for the most part. He was a loving, respectful son, well mannered, and kind. His generosity to family, friends and even strangers is well documented. A giving nature was an intricate part of who he was. He gave simply for the pleasure of giving, not for accolades or publicity. I believe many of his private gifts to ordinary people who crossed his pathway have never come to light. And I feel that is the way he wanted it.

To his only child, he was an adoring father. Much has been made of and he has been labelled as extravagant for giving his little daughter a mink coat and for taking her in his plane to show her what snow was. I feel this was a loving gesture. What better cause could a man spend a small part of his wealth on, than to want to give his little girl the gift of the wonderment of God's creation?

Elvis was loyal to a fault. During the movie years, even when he grew tired of making the cookie-cutter musicals because he wanted to do what he considered more serious, meaty roles, he stuck it out and completed his contract. I am glad that he did make those movies; but sad that he felt deprived of making movies that better used his acting ability. Those movies gave me relief from the stresses of my daily life. I could go to the theater and see Elvis going to exotic places and living a life I could only dream of. I could listen to his awesome voice singing songs that put a tap in my toes and lightened my heart for ninety minutes - or longer if I stayed to watch them over and over. Still today I can watch those films on tapes or tv and experience the same light-hearted entertainment. They don't preach at me, lecture me or beat me over the head with some social message. They were, and are still, fun! Elvis gave me that!

When the movie contract was finished, Elvis came back to his fans in person. His '68 Comeback Special proved that he could still rock n roll! So many of us could not go to Las Vegas to see him. His tours brought him to us. These tours had to be a tremendous drain on his personal life, energy and health. But, he went on stage night after night and poured out his music, humor and love to each crowd. Elvis was an awesome performer. Somehow he could reach every person in the large arena and make them feel that he was singing just to them. I have experienced this on five occasions. No matter where I sat, when Elvis looked out into the noisy darkness, I felt he knew I was there and I was important to him.

His loyalty showed in later years. When his association with his manager was lop-sided and had kept him from doing so many projects he wanted to do, he remained with that man as his manager. After his marriage ended and his heart was broken he remained close to his lost love. When some of his closest friends wrote a spiteful, vicious book and revealed to the world his private times and alleged demons, he was said to be forgiving of them.

As a fan, I find it very difficult to be that generous. My belief tells me that a born-again Christian must forgive; but after twenty-seven years I am still wrestling with this one!

Now, I will go back and write about the Elvis that I was privileged to know first hand. That was the Elvis on the concert stage. That was the Elvis who kept his ticket prices low so that his fans of all means could afford to see his shows. That was the Elvis who came on the stage and gave of his talent, his music, his energy and his love. I found it so inspiring to watch him as he interacted with his musicians and audience. He good naturedly tolerated and seemed even to enjoy, the throng of fans who crowded around the edge of the stage and screamed for his attention. They grabbed at him. Some only wanted a scarf. Some wanted and got a kiss. Some were so excited that even though they only wanted to touch him, they left scratches on his fingers. Others wanted to pull the rings off his fingers and the gold chains from his neck. Whatever they did, he took it all good-naturedly.

One of my fondest memories of Elvis is the look of love that was on his face when he was at the edge of the stage looking down into the upturned faces of his fans. It was the look of unconditional love!

As the end of life neared for him, he never let his fans know how he suffered. As his health and body size changed, he accepted it and kept on touring. He could even laugh over a grotesque caricature of himself that someone drew and handed to him from the audience. When one of his well known "moves" left a rip in the seat of his jumpsuit, he left the stage to change. Then he carried the torn jumpsuit out on stage and showed the damage to the audience. If he was crushed or demoralized by this incident, he still managed to make it humorous for his fans.

What are the positives of Elvis? To sum up: He was loving, polite, a good son, an adoring father, a seeker of God, talented, charismatic, loyal, humorous and giving. He gave, not only of himself but of his time, his energy, his fortune and fame. He gave of his health and, maybe, even his life. When blame for the death of Elvis is being metered out, I believe that we, as fans, have a share too. We wanted so much of him and could never get enough. Whenever he spoke of retirement, he was rumored to say that he couldn't because he had too many people depending on him. We did that, too. We loved him, maybe, not wisely; but too well. Thank you, Elvis, for being the great human being that you were. You deserve to be remembered for that and not for all the "crap" that is put out in those books.

And all I can add to that, Elvira, is it's very well written! Great Job! :-)

ELVIS ROCKS ON~PAGE 2

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