JERRY SCHILLING - Memphis Mafia - New Book on Elvis
Jerry Schilling talks is new book on Elvis

 

After days of arguing, Priscilla convinced Elvis that Lisa would be happier with a constant parent, rather than one that was on the road. Touring most of the year, much to his despair, Elvis had to concede to the truth of his usual life-style was not conducive to raising a child on his own.

Although, "Elvis just stood watching as we load up Priscilla's blue Mercedes. By than Priscilla was in tears and shaking," says Schilling.

"Elvis took Priscilla into his arms, kissed her gently on the mouth, and said. 'If you need anything, Cilla. Anything at all? You know to let me know'."

 Until that finally moment, Elvis was still composed, but when it was time to bid farewell to his daughter, Elvis broke down and cried as he swooped his beloved Lisa into his arms. Elvis held Lisa tight for a very long time. "Be a good girl, Button-head," whispered Elvis. (Button-head was Elvis' pet name for Lisa) "You come and visit often, you hear," said Elvis trying to hold back the tears. Then out of sheer desperation Elvis insisted, "Get mummy to teach you how to use the phone, so you can call me everyday, okay."

As Schilling recalls, "Lisa Marie, was always a very perceptive child. She realised this was not the usual way her daddy said goodbye. Normally, Elvis would says, 'Button-head I'm off to work. What do you want daddy to bring you back, this time?'"

"This day was strange, and Lisa knew it. She looked into her daddy's eyes and asked him, 'Are you crying, daddy?"

At the point, Elvis flashed Priscilla a look that could kill, then delivered Lisa into her mother's awaiting arms, turned on his heels, walked back into the house, without looking back.

"I'd seen that look before in Elvis eyes," says Schilling. "It a look that still sends a chill went down my spine, when I think of it... It's was a look of pain, anger, desperation and hurt."

"For the rest of that day, till about 4 am that night, Elvis closed himself up in his bedroom. He wouldn't eat or take our calls."

"We got very worried. We thought maybe he had knocked myself out with a whole lot of sleeping pills."

"From time to time, Joe and I would sneak up to his bedroom and listen at the door. Once I heard him cursing. Another times I heard him screaming. But mostly we heard Elvis just sobbing."

Finally, Schilling admitted, "I now know, that day was the beginning of the end for the Elvis I had once know and loved."

Footnote: In regard to my personal experience I find Elvis always willing to talk to me if I had a problem. He always treated me as if we were the same. Elvis was a deep person. He would admit to the same insecurities that I had. I remember he told me that things weren't so different for him... sure success, fame, and money gave him the opportunity to have nice things, and buy the things he wanted, but it didn't stop him from having doubts or fears.

Elvis was a very caring person. I remember when I once had I car accident. I was pretty shook up, but nothing real serious. That night I found it difficult to fall asleep. Elvis somehow knew that, and came into my room (we were all in staying with Elvis during the shooting of Frankie and Johnny and talked to me until I fell asleep. Sonny West  

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