Surprisingly, Vester Presley believed his nephew, Elvis would have married again and this second marriage would have brought greater stability to his life. Vester, Elvis 73 year-old uncle, who died in 1997, worked at Graceland up until his death recalls "Elvis understood the difficulties of being an only child, and would've had at least four more children.
"Elvis was greatly influenced by his mama and the Southern ways. He craved a stable family. I believe he would've married again. In the twilight years he'd would've wanted a homebody wife and Lisa Marie to have lots of brothers and sisters."
Would the nightmare of what Elvis' life had become before his death have haunted him forever? According to Albert Goldman - author of the explosive ELVIS biography - certainly not. "Elvis, would have not lived to be 50. Had he been saved him on that August day in 1977, Elvis would've have continued on the road of self-destruction. His last years of drug abuse, prove too well, Elvis had a death-wish..."
Jerry Schilling, member of the infamous
Memphis Mafia for 20 years boldly refutes Goldman's claims. "Where does this guy, Goldman get off making any predictions about Elvis! He never even met Elvis." "Knowing Elvis, I believe he would've made amends and come to terms with his addiction and becoming a leading figure in the war against drugs and donated millions to help the poor and homeless."
A fact that certainly rings true, for during his lifetime Elvis' gift sprees and donations to charities became synonymous with his name. And Presley name still translates into mega-bucks, when it lined the pockets of one-time girlfriend,
Linda Thompson to the tune of 1.2 million, when she sold-off the jewellery Elvis gave during their 4 year courtship (1972-76) at auction.
Todd Morgan, Media Coordinator at Graceland speculates,
"Elvis is the most beloved and least understood artist in the world. Had he lived, his legacy would have received its proper place in history, because none of the media distortion would've evolved to scandalize his greatness."
Twenty-four years after his death, Elvis Presley's impact still resounds around the globe. Today Elvis' revolutionary music has been compared to classical composers like, Beethoven. Not to mention the Johnny-come-lately's who were profoundly influenced by Elvis' style, like the Beatles, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Jones, and second generation rocker, Jon Bon Jovi.
Tom Jones was one of the few honored admirers who got to know Elvis. The King who was never particularly fond of his any of his contemporaries, made an exception, when he was quoted as saying: "Tom Jones is the only man who has ever come anywhere close to the way I sing." In the 70's this mutual admiration between Jones and Presley developed into a close friendship, and Elvis went so far as to record several cover versions of Tom's hits, including Green, Green Grass Of Home. "The emotional depth and range of his singing voice would become even more profound in his later years. If Elvis were alive today, he would've created a new-style of music more powerful and moving the world had ever heard..." With duets becoming the rage and had I had the foresight, I would've recorded an album with Elvis. It was something we joked about, but never thought of seriously."
Now rumor has it that Jones and Presley did in fact cut some demo tapes at Graceland, however when asked, Jones would neither verify nor discredit the claim.
Jon Bon Jovi, who exclaims his adoration for his hero by strutting across the stage wearing black leather pants with "ELVIS LIVES" written in studs down the side of his legs, feels Elvis would've simply retired.
"Man, he had everything! Why would he bother to keep performing? Elvis would've retired to a quiet, simple life. Sitting around at Graceland bouncing his baby grand-daughter on his knee." Sid Shaw, president of Elvisly Yours Fan Club in the UK disagrees with Bon Jovi's theory. He says that had Elvis lived he would've become the single most beloved figure of the 20th century, always in demand to perform. "I get hundreds of new members every year. Elvis was not just a singer he was the consummate performer. He would've toured the world. When I spoke to Colonel Parker in 1976 he told me, Elvis wanted to do a concert in London."
Ted Turner, director of CNN cable TV theorizes that Elvis' popularity today would have made him a prime candidate for public office, and that he would have taken up the opportunity.
Only posthumously did The King receive full royal honors when the US Postal Department recognised Elvis Presley as an outstanding US citizen and deemed him suitable to grace their nation's calling card.
The 29-cent Elvis Stamp went of sale January 8, 1993, and has since sold 8 million stamps worldwide and still counting.
