That book was not started until elvis fired them

So many leaches in Elvis Presley life it is called Betrayals. Elvis was loved by the world and that love still goes on ❤

If they really had wanted to help. They could’ve written him a personal letter. Writing a book and exposing his details is kind of a betrayal.

elmo, very sorry to hear that you had to go through that. I think most of us can understand to some level the pain that Elvis experienced. Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us... we appreciate the comment!!

Elvis loaned Dr Nick the money to build his house and Elvis held the note, when Elvis died Vernon told Dr Nick he better not miss a payment or he would take the house!

Deborah but elvis did not know red was taping him thats pretty low in my opion

Why did they have to talk about two way mirrors and sexual stuff if they were trying to help him?That is not helping an addict.

R.I.P Sonny West!!! God Bless You and Your Family!!

Respect Elvis's 😇♥️ dignity 🙏 privacy 🔏 his hard work 🎤🎸💵 talent 🎤🎸🎹💜 generosity 🤑 service in the Army 🪖 and legacy 🎶🎵😍 Write and say positive things 💖 about Elvis 😇

Sandra, Thanks for your comments....Why would I have hard feeling....I love and respect Elvis and will Always keep his Memory and Legacy Protected!!! I will always be honest and tell it like it is as well!!! Elvis did that...and so do I!!! God Bless!!!

I read that book a long time ago, and they actually wrote it after they were fired. And I think I remember a recording of a phone conversation between Elvis and Red where Elvis gave his blessing for the West brothers to go ahead with publishing the book. I think I remember Elvis saying, 'You do what you gotta do, man.'

Hello Elvis Fans,when Im feeling down,I just put on a Elvis Record. and sing along.Then I'm ok..TCB

Sandra, Elvis was just very persuasive....Elvis Loved Jesus Christ!!!!

Elvis was a good hearted person who became severely addicted and obviously battled depression. RIP

Elvis even said in the phone call that there had been a lack of communication in recent years

I admire and respect all of the people that worked and tried.To Lil Bit of Angel.Thank You for providing more history into the life and the times of these fantastic people.I use to listen to Elvis on board a Bomber with my cassette player over North Viet-Nam and found solice.I thank all of you for trying to do your job and trying to protect Elvis.I did hear the stories about the meds he took and even having his own PDR for referencing meds,you guys did the utmost in trying to protect,it was difficult.Went back became an MD after being a pilot and saw what drugs did to so many of my patients,there is no way,unless you want to quit.Ray the Pilot,USAF,ret.M.D.

Elvis cried in front of friends BECAUSE of this book. Pure revenge.

As I listened to this,I found myself saddened by the fact that at the time no one thought anyone including Elvis could get hooked on prescription medication. Now in todays world,the doctors explain when a certain medication could become habit forming and it is regulated and monitored whereas it was not so back in the 70's.I think that what I heard here was very well stated and very clearly made known that these guys cared about Elvis.It does not matter when or how long it took them to do what they did,what matters is that they took the step to intervene and try to help a friend.Most excellent information and I thank you for sharing. Blessings to you and all Elvis fans

A sensationalistic book is not an honest book to begin with and telling the whole world about things you want to keep private and can't handle no more, whatever the reason, is not being honest with your friend face to face. This book was a lethal blow that came at the worst time in Elvis' life. Elvis couldn't defend himself no more and that tell all book (tell all, really? What about the good?) didn't leave him a chance. Also let's not forget it was mainly a revenge and money thing to start with. Sonny soon admitted the book was written out of anger and bitterness and Red who told Elvis on the phone he had lost his house in California because he was fired soon bought a new one in Memphis with the money he got for writing the book. I know they were hurt and Red and Sonny loved Elvis and he loved them but that book never helped out Elvis one bit, it ultimately lead him to die within months while he had other plans for his future. That book was a terrible mistake. Before he passed away Elvis had been saying over and over again, almost every day: where is loyalty, man, where is it? Now they're all gone and they sure can discuss it up there but I'm not sure they agree with your version Rustywells, no matter how good your intentions. Anyway thanks for sharing your thoughts about it and God bless you!

No one is blaming anyone for getting Elvis addicted but they sold him out by writing this book, no excuse they sold him out!

My heart filled with grif and become painful by listening your talking ....

Regardless of his script use, he was a good man.

John, Thank you....I appreciate It!!!!

Elmo, Thanks for listening and God Bless You!!!

I'm sooo glad you post this! I actually used to attend Redd WEST ACTORS STUDIO back in '97. He is the most caring encouraging honest man! I really respected him and Pat West... Under Redd's training I moved to Los Angeles did tons of commercials and print and films as well as television. I am truly grateful for him.

A poem for Elvis a tribute because I loved him so much." """""💝and still miss him. THOSE WE. LOVE DONT GO AWAY. THEY ALWAYS WALK BESIDES US EVERYDAY. UNSEEN. UNHEARD. BUT ALEAYS NEAR. STILL LOVED. STILL MISSED. AND FOREVER DEAR TO US I MISS YOUR BLUE EYES. YOUR SAD SMILE. THE WAY YOU MADE US FEEL YOU BROUGHT US LOVE IN ALL YOUR TOURS. IF I COULD BRING YOU BACK ID NEVER LET YOU GO BECAUSE YOU WERE THE GREATEST MAN THIS WORLD HAS EVER KNOW. 🐯""""🐒"""""🐴💝💝💝💝 love a miss you Mr SONGMAN. Love Sandra Miller. 2015. Johnson city. Tennessee.

Everyone needs to read the book Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. The original core group (Red, Sonny, Lamar, Marty and Billy) tried to work with Elvis to overcome his addictions to prescription medication but he would not cooperate. Dr Nick had only prescribed four medications.

Who is this guy? Who can verify that he knows more about Elvis than anyone? Other than him?

Fatal error Elvis made was to surround himself with yes men.

My husband and I are Elvis biggest fans, the way I see it, friends don't do that to friends if they really loved and care about Elvis the book wasn't needed, it would have been different if someone else on the outside had written it...I can only imagine how he must have felt when that book was published, betrayed, hurt for sure!!! If they really really cared they should have laid it on the line including their jobs longer before the idea of the book, myself I was in shock and still am as I find out the reality of what was going on, and one thing I totally agree, no one made Elvis do anything he did not want to do, having said that what was the point of the book at that particular time if not to hurt him and gladly expose his personal life, my conclusion of the ones that betrayed him, they definitely did not care for Elvis or of the outcome, regardless true fans stayed loyal and will forever..long live the King of Rock and Roll ...We Love You Elvis and Always Will

rusty i figured out how the whole paltalk thing works.Thank you.

Yes, there was so much love and good in Elvis' life and in all of his team. But in the later years the stress level grew overwhelming for some, including Elvis. I would note, Rusty, that the book was written and published AFTER Red and others were let go, not before. They were let go for other reasons, and from all I have read, and listened to Red and Sonny themselves say both in the months before and after, I believe their being let go was justifiable at the time. I would like to share my thoughts because I believe, as you all do, that Elvis was and is a very significant and positive influence for the whole world, and his contribution, including that of his team, is worth being honestly appreciated. Elvis' father wanted to let them go several times before, but Elvis would not let him (Elvis told his father "you see their wants, I see their needs.") But apparently Elvis became convinced and allowed their dismissal. Elvis offered them a very generous severance pay arrangement, but unfortunately Vernon didn't pass that on. Only a petty amount, which justifiably angered Red and Sonny. They said they felt "bitter" about being let go like that, and offered that as part of the reason they wrote the book. I can accept that they hoped it would help Elvis to focus on his excessive drug usage, but I feel that was a logic trapped in their bitterness and disappointment. You don't help someone by badly hurting them. In the later months and years they made up - Elvis was ever-forgiving and forgetting. When he saw them first again he said "nice to see you again." If he had lived I believe his life married to Ginger Alden would have brought about the healing he so needed (he and Ginger had decided their wedding date that morning, within hours prior to his death). Please note the following references, which I believe to be important and truthful and up to date at the time of his death: Ginger Alden's and Dr. Nick's books J.D. Sumner - one quote, plus interview about Elvis' life - "The only thing I can say - beside Jesus Christ there is no greater man that ever lived. In any respect - in love of his friends, in loving the world, in giving to the world, there’s no way to express it . . . . beside Jesus Christ, he’s the greatest man I ever knew." - J.D. Sumner Detailed interview: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/grloatJju9G-Z30.html AND - THE NEW MOVIE "ELVIS" PREMIERING JUN 24, 2022 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jZahocil2JebgKM.html "Elvis is as big as he ever has been." - Tom Hanks, who plays the Colonel in the movie. I know this was long - had to satisfy my heart's feeling at least a little bit. Enjoy and celebrate . . . .

They were doing right! They were trying to help him! So sad he didn’t want the help. He might still be alive if he had listened.

How in the hell did that book protect Elvis in any way? It was the estocada of the corrida the final blow that actually killed him in the end. I know Red and Sonny loved him and didn't mean to but they were angry and hit him hard because they didn't know any better. Still it was unjust and unfair. Loyalty man where was it?

Tommy, Thanks So Much for your Comment!!!! God Bless You!!!

THEY KILLED HIM BY WRITING THAT BOOK!!!!!! red west is no hero

FINALLY SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH AND SAYS IT AS IT AS IT IS

I agree , both Red and Sonny loved the man,they wanted to help their friend and help him to shake his addiction , Hell we all loved Elvis and I'm 100% sure that they were both trying to help their friend and our idol. Thank you both for trying and God bless you all now that you are all united again.

I believe that Red and Sonny West loved and protected Elvis.

Sandra, My keeping Elvis memory alive has been my whole life!! My paltalk Elvis room opened over 6 years ago!!! As far as Red and Sonny I have always known that their intentions were to wake Elvis up to what he was doing and Save him!!! Thanks for the comment!!!

They exposed a VERY famous man during his weakest time so let’s get real, real friends don’t roll this way. .. even tight friends can part ways but it should never be for a financial advantage nor a motive to make for the same thing. ,.when it is, it can be summed up as being disloyal, disingenuous too. Just my two cents for what it’s worth.

The way i heard it Elvis dad fired the West cousins and a few others THAN they wrote the book PERIOD

Hiya Lil Bit , thank you for posting this Vid. I wish i knew people with whom I could have an open discussion about Elvis with. As much as I love the man , the truth is the truth & needs to be discussed. Not only for me , but for others to get a kind-of closure.... Thanks again , Bobby

Thank you for your prompt response ~I was just wondering who you were and if your were doing a conference on Elvis or something at the time this was recorded 💕🌻 Best Wishes

Red west made movies and wrote songs he had income apart from Elvis, he had contacts in Hollywood and he did fine.

a true friend never turns there back and tells people personal business!!!.........cut them off like karate !!!!

Great video! Would you mind if a shared it with an Elvis facebook group "I adore Elvis. How about you?" :D

R.I.P. Sonny & Red West :-(

Totally agree with this, Elvis was a sweet man, but everyone turns into a monster when addicted

Come on, even his friends said they didn’t get paid that much, any friend of mine that was addicted to drugs weather it was prescription or street drugs, I would have had all our friends come together and confront Elvis and I would have called the authorities that would have saved his life. I think the “friends” were addicted as well, until they were let go.

Elvis knew what he was doing, just like before I became a recovered addict! I couldn't blame no one for my own prescription drug abuse, and it kills me how people will blame E's bodyguards for his addiction! No one, and I mean no one can protect a man or woman from themselves! If I hadn't quit by getting help, I'd be dead just like E! Addiction is a complete living HELL folks!

Good piece, thanks for posting

R.I.P Red West!!! God Bless You and Sonny and your family!!! You Will be Missed!!!

Lets be honest. Writing that book was not going to save Elvis and they knew that. The wrote the book because the were angry and hurt. A TRUE friend would not do that. Look at Ann Margaret. Now thats someone who truely loved him. He chose those guys to be a part of his entourage because he trusted and believed in them. His private life should not have been written in a book for the world to see. I don't care what you say, i real friend who loves you does not do that. I real friend doesn't record their private conversations either.

Poor Elvis the book was the end of Elvis.The public did not know about Elvis private life..

This is so true because I was on pain pills as well and I did not want to hear it from anyone but thank god I stoped

I read the book. Let me tell you it was a page turner and an eye opener. The guys were putting up a challenge to Elvis. They tried to save his life. Red was there from the very beginning. He defended Elvis when he was being bullied at school. This was before Elvis became famous. So IMO he wasn't with him for the money. There was no money at the beginning and Red was always there. Unfortunately, Elvis wouldn't listen to anyone. Elvis did it to himself. I loved the guy, I'm still a huge fan. But an addict will do anything to get what they want. Someone should have admitted him to a hospital. Where they could've weened him off the drugs and taken care of his physical ailments at the same time. A good 6 mnths off. Perhaps he would've still been with us. Dr Nick wasn't the only doctor that Elvis had in his pocket. There were others. This still happens to this day... If only he had listened. Maybe if his mom were still alive. But all the perhaps, what ifs and maybes will not bring him back to us. What a waste. Gone so young. 1st Step is to admit you have a problem. Elvis never took that 1st Step.

It was interesting what he talked about and it's true elvis was dying and maby depressed i think cuz the split and divorce with his wife was hard emotionally he loved her since his army days and seeing his daughter go to different homes with different fathers i don't think he could live like that for the rest on regardless he had rich and fame at his doorstep. .. trust me I've been trough betrayal and divorce and see my daughter and son not see thier daddy as much as before was hell for ... it killed me inside every day so my pain killer was drinking alot to numb my mind and my pain and had no idea that alcohol can kill you physically. .. i was a very sensitive guy back then...so i sympathize with elvis ' action and behavior

he locked himself up in his room to get away from all the leechers and fake friends.. wouldnt you if you were him?

In life, we make decisions that affect us daily.

Truth is what I live by and this here what I heard I believe to be true.Great video and thanks for telling us the way it really was.

I understand Red needed money at time in my heart ❤️ I believe he wishes he didn’t TCB

This Rustywells pretty much hit the Nail on the head!!! And we all Love Elvis!

JD, Ha Ha!!!! I am Glad it made you laugh!!!

The worst part of betrayal is that it always happens by a friend! There are a thousand ways to betray, but None of is as dirty as pretending to love! because loving Elvis and intending to wake him up and save his life by writing the most private personal issues of his life to the public. It's like telling someone who is committing suicide; I will kill you if you kill yourself! By writing this book, they do exactly the same thing with Elvis, betrayal is like a muffler, it silently kills person. He talks about Elvis' addiction to pills and his lifestyle and that he refused to listen to anyone talk about it, but he does not say why Elvis was taking painkillers, why he needed them? Truth has two sides like a coin, the problem is we always see only one side of it, not the whole truth, whether you are a star or an ordinary person, everyone's privacy must be respected,that's it.

It´s very difficult to judge people even when we know them.

Sandra, I do think you Are Right about a lot of what you are saying and maybe a lot of friends and family should have done more sooner...But really until say 74 or so on Elvis Behavior and actions would not have Merited a lot of intervention!!! Elvis was in control and doing proper things in a proper way!!! It was in the later years where Red and Sonny and others were noticing a more radical life style....even More so than his normal life style!!! Elvis did like friends and family around.....Yes.....And a softer approach may have been better earlier...however at that late time....A Intervention so to speak...IS what Elvis Needed!!! Thanks For your Comments!!!

Man i can listen to you all day. I believe you. You have no reason to lie

If they weren’t fired then there is no book

This is a very ‘touchy’ subject. As an “Elvis Disciple” my initial reaction was , why they would resort to a book?…Then, back in early 90’s I met and talked to Sonny, and you can’t fake what I witnessed with my own eyes, but there is no doubt in my mind that Sonny and Red really loved Elvis. I don’t like putting the blame on the others either, it’s not right.. At the end, Elvis was not in the righteous state of mind to be confronted, had he been, and was more approachable, he might have not passed away in 1977.

Kind of hard to argue they published a book telling dirt on Elvis, made money off it, and they were doing it for him .

Both were pissed off for being fired there is a tape proving it !

Its great to hear someone who knows what there talking about. I'm a huge Elvis fan & have been for 40 years & it does my head in to keep reading comments from people who don't know shit slagging off Red & Sonny West. The book didn't kill Elvis, Elvis killed Elvis.

An invitation to anyone that would like to come... Rustys room is open every night, from 9pm to 11pm EST, USA. This audio was recorded live in Rustys room... we pay tribute to Elvis Presley every night!! Come join us by clicking the link in the description above and downloading the free chat program. Rustys room is called, Rustywells Elvis Memorial Music Room. It is located in the Music/Karaoke-Singing section. Thanks! Hope to see you there!!

Sandra, Thank You for your comment!!!

Elvis had a drug addiction yes but he didn't die because if it. He died due to his colon issues, he needed surgery. Also fyi, sonny said that he learned from Linda that elvis talked to his father to suspend red and sonny for 3 months and give them enough for those 3 months, but vernon instead fired them and gave them a week's pay. Vernon never liked them actually

Other did try and talk to him but the real reason they wrote that book was because they were fired and truly pissed about it so they write a book which they knew would be a bestseller paying them a hell of a lot of money.

I happen to agree with what Rustywells said on here. The way I see it, Red loved Elvis enough to do what he felt he had to do. Kudos on this video!

I don't want to hear anything about Red and Sonny west and the other one, whodared to write that book about private life of Elvis that broke his heart. And they dared to say that they wrote that book to help Elvis to take care of his life. They thought that people are stupid? And how could they help him when he was already near to die. They should only stop talking about Elvis and profiting by his name.

Sandra, Thanks for listening and watching the video.....God Bless!!!

Bro you out in left field. Red and sonny and dave were fired in 76 july. The book came out in August 77 don’t forget what friend records a conversation. Why did red do that ? Oh. He wanted to help elvis. Ya right. They only wrote the book because elvis fired them and they wanted revenge. True friends don’t tell the world what elvis did privately.

Red West betrayed his best friend. Elvis was a private super star that loved his fans like family. That book did not have to be written to help Elvis, all it did was break his heart. loyalty was so important to Elvis and those body guards betrayed him. Probably what upset me the most in that book was the comments about Elvis's voice. You can see in his last aired concert, how powerful and beautiful his voice was. And yet in that book they talk negatively about his voice. That really pissed me off. There's no way around it. Red knew Elvis all the way back from Elvis's high school days, and for all the things Elvis did for Red and his family, Red's appreciation was a negative portrayed book about his best friend. That book didn't help Elvis in any way, and only broke his heart.

Great comment, I have stated many times in follow-up videos and in my room ...yes, they were let go prior to writing the book fir law suits about beating up fans ...they knew their time was running out to get through to Elvis and since he was more and more recluse they were getting more desperate....so writing a book was one idea they came up with...sadly the timing of the book made them look very petty and vengeful even though their true intent was to save Elvis! Thanks again for your well thought out comment!

I understand that Elvis had a problem with meds from drs. I also understand if they wanted help. I will always love that unique gift of God. And no matter what I pray he will be in heaven. He loved. He was too generous. Is all too sad. I can tell you it is hard to stop prescription medications. A dr has to be the legal profession. But was the times also. Elvis loved but he was human. He had jumped into stardom so fast. He lost freedom and trust. I pray Red and Sonny made peace. I pray was done for to help. Times different now. Just love that voice and that young happy Elvis.

Red loved him till the day he died! Nobody could tell ELVIS nothing!

Elvis died of many more complications, he had a heart attack, due to plac in his arteries. People don't understand the complications of eating too much fat. He had high blood pressure, diabetes, glycoma, arterial sclerosis, and couldn't stop working because he had given away his fortune, and he had a payroll to meet. People depended on him. When he died he only had 5 million, and very little in the savings account. It was hard for him to do the same thing over and over. He also had fybromyalgia, that's what I have and it's pain all over your body, just now they are starting to treat it with meds. Read the book " Destined to die young" it explains a lot of the REAL REASONS. U

The Jhaley, Thank You for watching and your comment......

Sadly, these friends should have done it differently. The book was a betrayal written in anger, and written to make tons of money and to cause shame. These two men were not the only ones who have betrayed Elvis. All the men and women who "loved" him are making money from his name. It seems to me they loved the money more than the man. They keep the upstairs of Graceland private to show love and respect? How silly that seems. The bottom line, like me, or anybody else, ultimately Elvis was responsible for his decisions and choices. RIP Elvis.

Some fair points wouldn't blame the book on Elvis death it was a combination of things that led to that. From those who were there at the end with him the book troubled him and he prayed and wondered how he would be recieved by the fans after. We the fans and public didn't know much about him until after he died before the bodyguard book it was all how he presented himself in public. He didn't do hardly any interviews but we do know as Elvis said himself the image is one thing and the human being is another. The private life remained well protected. Values then are very different to what they are today. People today are more understanding of addictions back then much less so. To be seen as out of control and on drugs would be very humiliating for Elvis he had always stood against drugs he had suffered a loss of pride when Priscilla divorced him that sent him down..based on what you know about Elvis do you think he would have driven him further down or up by the revelations ? To me it was all too late. People talk about him being in a rut in the movie era..the real rut was the concert years after Aloha 1973 -77 he had a massive career high with the satellite concert...and was on the treadmill straight back after and had nowhere to go but down.

Ronnie, None of the guys were Jealous of Elvis....They knew He was special and they appreciated what he did for them!!!! There was Nothing to be jealous of....Everyone Knew Elvis was The Guy so to speak!!!!

J Kealy, Thanks for watching and listening to the Video!!! Thanks for your comments!!!

JCB, Thank you for watching the video!!! God Bless You!!!

Lois... Um well, probably because he was Elvis. The problem today is that drugs are everywhere... I doubt there is anyone alive that doesn't at least know someone that is dependent or has been dependent on drugs, prescription medications... countless other things. When Elvis was in trouble with the medications... No one really understood the problem then. The medications he took were prescriptions. There really wasn't a set standard then on how to deal or handle dependencies and addictions. In a way... Elvis and many many others paved the way to wake the world up to their dangers... and that the problem does touch everyone. From the celebrities, to the homeless... sadly.

If all the friends came together and confronted Elvis not one or two at a time

Red West did it out of spite, did it for the money, Red knew Elvis's days were limited as did others. The fact Red recorded conversations or a conversation with Elvis, how deceitful is that? Elvis did not blackball anyone. Red is lucky he was never sued. Charlie Hodge only mentioned after the death of both Elvis and his fathers that Elvis was suffering from bone cancer while Elvis had other health problems. Was Elvis addicted to prescription drugs? of course he was. Elvis was the product, without Elvis there was no product. The demand for Elvis to produce was enormous. No one had a payday unless he produced. Elvis was employment for hundreds of people. If Red West didn't make a fortune from the book that speaks volumes on what his fans thought of his actions.

gracias por compartir

They put a lot of shit in that book that was pretty vengeful what's that got to do with helping somebody

Cards, Thank You for the Comment!!! If you get a chance come to my Paltalk room....God Bless You!!!

By August 1977 Elvis was too I’ll too weary too depressed to make any sort of sensible decisions Only one person could have made the decision that he might have heeded and that was Colonel Parker He could have ordered a years rest and a proper medical assessment and treatment. I think Elvis would have taken this from him. The trouble being that Colonel Parker had such gambling debts that he needed Elvis to keep on working. I have never blamed Red and Sonny who were good and loyal friends over many many years

Good friends tell you to your face but do not tell the world your sins.