Memphis Mafia absent from Elvis "friends and family" (Jeffrey Schrembs 2011 All Rights Reserved)

by Jeffrey Schrembs
(Elvisville, USA)

Memphis Mafia absent from Elvis “family friends” (2011 Jeff Schrembs All Rights Reserved)

For years I have voiced my opinion that the members of the Memphis Mafia (i.e. Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, and recently deceased Lamar Fike) have not been afforded their proper place of respect and appreciation when in comes to the “Official Elvis Presley Machine”.

The fact(s) remain that these men were loved, trusted, etc. by Elvis Presley during his lifetime. They shared his schedule, his hopes, his dreams, his triumphs, his failures, his health issues, etc. for decades. When Elvis died these men were left in shock and without employment. They had families to support, they lost their friend, and their lives were adversely affected.

Recently I visited the “Official Elvis Presley Website”, which I highly recommend Elvis Fans Worldwide to do, and to my dismay under the category of “family and friends” the members of the Memphis Mafia (individually and collectively) are…absent. HOW IN THE WORLD IS THIS POSSIBLE?

These men are living breathing witnesses to Elvis’ life and have EARNED the right to be a part of the “Official Elvis Presley Machine” and to obtain the benefits as such (i.e. monetarily, acknowledgments, respect, legacy, etc.).

There are a HANDFUL of members of the Memphis Mafia living and sadly we are losing them far too routinely. Elvis, his life his legacy and his story, deserve to be ”front and center” but if these men were worthy of Elvis trust, love, appreciation, respect, employment, etc. during his life WHY IN THE WORLD are they so “absent” now even when it comes to “friends and family”?

Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide should seek out each of the members of the Memphis Mafia, support their endeavors, and inquire as to WHY it is that these men, and their contributions to Elvis, continue to be…minimized.

For all the things that the “Official Elvis Presley Machine” does right, and kudos to Priscilla Lisa Marie and Jack Soden for all they have done for Elvis Fans Worldwide since Elvis’ passing, not ensuring that the members of the Memphis Mafia are an ongoing part of every works/products/dvds/books/etc. concerning Elvis Presley is something that should be remedied FORTHWITH.

For Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide I welcome your input concerning this matter and anyone looking at the facts objectively, if that is possible, and I hope that the members of the Memphis Mafia know (as well as their family members) that they are not forgotten now…and for future Fans of Elvis Presley Worldwide.

If the “story of Elvis Presley” can minimize those who knew Elvis for most of his life, and/or were related to him and/or lived with him, what else can be “marginalized/omitted”?

Nuff said.

Take care and may God bless you.