Elvis Presley Sonny West Exclusive Interveiw Memphis Mafia Body Guard part 1

Elvis Presley - Sonny West Memphis Mafia And Freind Interveiw With Joe Krein P 1
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Telephone Interveiw
There are 3 parts but some of the tapes were damaged . Twenty minutes had to be edited out of part 2. We start sounding like ducks.Part 3 has the same problems but i left it in. . The cut 2o minutes he is talking about Elvis What Happened. If someone knows how to fix please give me a yell
Delbert Bryant West Jr. known professionally as Sonny West, was a friend and bodyguard of the singer Elvis Presley along with his cousin Red West for sixteen years, as part of the Elvis entourage at the Elvis Memphis home Graceland, which became known as "The Memphis Mafia
Copyright © 2008
Collecting King Elvis

[@jonathanlane4496]

Thanks for posting this, Joe. By the way, I was at Madison Square Garden on June 9, 1972 for Elvis’ first show.

[@mgcole5586]

You are Blessed. Not many can say that. That was the first EP album I bought. MSG 6/72 four Wonderful shows! To bad one wasnt professionally filmed. Shameful!

[@timp3035]

Imagine the lives these guys had being around Elvis for all of those years. Wow........

[@Somee989]

How I miss the MM. Great bunch of guys. Each an individual and together a storm.

[@user-kt6uw8fm8l]

without Elvis they are nobody

[@1burnman]

Love these stories

[@lindaharden-lantz1783]

I only met Vernon once and agree with Sonny's description of his personality.

[@roselamoure]

How was it meeting Vernon? I would love to hear your experience with him, if you‘re ok with sharing it of course

[@MichaelSmith-990]

Love these interviews Joe. What an awesome assortment of talks in the Elvis world 🌍 keep em coming my friend. TCB ⚡

[@peter61967]

Sonny West seemed like a really nice person and I think he’s one of the best men that Elvis had around him. Good interview Joe 👌

[@randallanthony1794]

The only problem is he wrote a book that him and others shouldn’t have wrote

[@peter61967]

@@randallanthony1794 yes absolutely I agree they shouldn’t have written that book, I’m sure they did regret it however it was far too late

[@roselamoure]

I agree, despite anything that happened, I like Sonny a lot, he was really kind and nice and decent and very caring and he would have taken a bullet for Elvis. One of my favorite MM members honestly

[@roselamoure]

@@randallanthony1794the book did some good believe it or not, Elvis actually wanted to change for the better because of the book! Elvis needed a mirror to reflect his shitty and disgusting behavior. Not to mention he almost killed a girl because of his drugs and didn’t even care about it.

[@linapagliari8003]

Loving this interview Ty joe for sharing 😁🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@kathrynenderby5997]

I’m a huge fan of elvis Presley’s and I love 💕 elviss music and flims too elvis was an amazing fantastic entertainer that ever lived my dream is to visit Graceland and I love 💕 elviss music I respect elvis and his family and friends too I always live elvis ⚡️🕺7:42pm thanks I always live elvis tcb ⚡️9:14pm

[@deborahstevens9763]

That was fascinating. Sonny speaks in a very natural, unaffected way. I didn't know he was doing drug education. He was lucky, he flew near the sun, touched greatness, and survived.

[@chaderichsen]

I'm so enjoying these interviews. Really appreciate you sharing Joe!

[@melindapetardi6138]

These recordings are priceless. Thank you so much for sharing all of them.

[@jkrein82]

So many are out there in a dump. I did not get to them fast enough

[@gussygatlin3093]

This was Awesome listening to Sonny... He is a wealth of information. Thanks. ❤

[@DarkSkies72]

Sonny, Red and Dave wrote the book that contributed to Elvis’s early death, what a horrific betrayal. They then cashed in on him until their dying day. So wrong. It breaks my heart when I think of Elvis’s final days on this earth. Elvis deserved better.

[@tolistolis8277]

But your heart not broke when you see what elvis do to himself,no one of this guys force him to be addict,and from the way how he choose to fire them ,and refuce to talk or give the reason ,then this guys make the right , elvis firstbackstabbed them

[@barbarabangert6594]

They were the ones that were betrayed by being fired unceremoniously after 20 years with a weeks pay . Elvis was a moody violent man at the end . Maybe he did deserve it .

[@daysjours]

This is a complicated story. Vernon fired them with one week severance after 20 years with Elvis. Read the bios. Elvis understood their betrayal and continued to both rage and love them.

[@daysjours]

@@barbarabangert6594Elvis was a destroyed man in the end. Tragic. He told his cousin Billy he loved these men regardless. Even in his stupor and destruction he kept some of his humanity

[@mgcole5586]

​@@barbarabangert6594Elvis deserved to Die?!?

[@listerine414]

Sonny was so sharp and full of life. Seems strange listening knowing he is gone now

[@dianekolb3703]

Love hearing these stories told by those who were close to Elvis! 😊

[@bonniebrown6960]

OK wait, I think Lorraine was married to Travis Smith...right? Billy Smith's mama and daddy. I think Louis Smith was Jr's wife... right? 🤔😉🥰 I've enjoyed all these interviews too. They're all just about gone, so to hear thier stories about thier lives with Elvis is priceless. Thank you for sharing them with us.

[@donniestevens1559]

This was great 👍

[@myrel543]

I share this on fb on official Memphis mafia group

[@jkrein82]

I wanted to join under my name but it will not let me.

[@judykaufman7452]

Joe, I can't thank you enough for bringing these interviews to the fans, I am enjoying them so much and I'm excited about Sonny's interview he was such a sweet man. Can't wait to hear pt. 2

[@jacquelineloveselvis]

Really looking forward to these 3 episodes. 👌

[@jkrein82]

some of it is damaged

[@K9_NINA]

I just got done reading “Still taking Care of business “(and yes I read Elvis, What Happened first). IMO the STCOB is one of the Best, most comprehensive book that I have read on EP in terms of personal stories ) and I’ve read quite a few . Sonny really seemed like a true and caring individual and I’m sorry that he too has passed. Def read his book if your interested

[@jkrein82]

Remember some parts have been damaged

[@karenjessup810]

Sonny, Red and Dave did NOT betray Elvis!

[@vicki6070]

Parker got a BAD RAP? NO!!! I have to say that I question Sonny saying that "Parker (Andreas Cornelis van Kujik) got a bad rap." Maybe Parker helped EP get out of doing some things such as, "A Star Is Born" or the "children's book" with Judy Garland but, as it was presented here, Parker didn't even seem to try to "direct" or "discuss" some of these "advantageous career moves." Then again, they were NOT as "LUCRATIVE" as the TOURS. It seems to me that Parker had no idea or "cared less" about "career development" and helping EP to explore his options "creatively. It seems to me that Parker was solely after the $$$!!!. In the book, "DEATH OF ELVIS," SAM THOMPSON, was INTERVIEWED as a potential witness on 2/8/80 for DR. NICK'S TRIAL When asked by Larry Hutchinson, the chief investigator for Attorney General Stanton as well as the TASK FORCE, he asked Sam T., "WHY WAS THE COLONEL SO CONCERNED ABOUT ELVIS'S CONSUMPTION OF DRUGS?" Sam T. responded "I think that it was PRIMARILY FINANCIALLY MOTIVATED, you know. That was his MEAL TICKET..." Now, that seems like the Parker I'm familiar with. In 3/80, PARKER was also INTERVIEWED by Hutchinson. Hutchinson was trying to determine the "CLOSENESS" of his relationship with EP. When asked "YOU NEVER TRIED TO INTERFERE IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE?" Parker responded, "I NEVER HAD FROM THE START." Right. Well, there was that thing about a FORCED marriage. Also, did NOT want him to get married early on in his career, etc. Supposedly, in 1974, EP "took time off to vist the Colonel at his home in Palm Springs." Parker remembered, "HE DIDN'T LOOK WELL." I said [Parker], DO YOU [EP] WANT TO TAKE A REST? THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG, I don't know what it is, but YOU DON'T LOOK WELL. You don't FEEL GOOD." That's when "ELVIS TOLD ME, 'I DO DRUGS." Up until that time, according to Parker, he had NO IDEA that EP did drugs. LIKE I REALLY BELIEVE THAT!!! According to Parker, EP went on to say "I DON'T TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE. I DON'T INTERFERE WITH IT. I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN MY PERSONAL LIFE. I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING, COLONEL, NO DISRESPECT, BUT I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING AND I'M FINE!"" Again, it was the same scenario, when Parker was "concerned about EP's WEIGHT. WOW!! Clearly, Parker did NOT want to be held accountable for his client, Further, I can't imagine EP making those statements. Don't you recall how LARRY GELLER said that, Parker came to EP's room before the show and said that the ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS THAT HE IS ON THAT STAGE TONIGHT!" I believe that's the time that Dr. Nick put EP's head in a bowl of ice water!! So, I'm PERPLEXED as to why Sonny would indicate how "concerned" Parker was about EP's health. Wasn't it the BACK-TO-BACK VEGAS SHOWS for weeks on end that helped to ESCALATE his drug use? And, now Sonny says that Parker thought that by KEEPING HIM WORKING on the smaller tours it helped to PREVENT EP from doing what he was doing (paraphrased). What???? Well, it sounds to me that Parker "PULLED THE WOOL OVER SONNY'S EYES" and "MANIPULATED" Sonny into believing that he was doing this for EP's good when, it appeared, that he was looking after his own POCKETBOOK. When EP died Parker had approx. $8M in GAMBLING DEBT, which is why EP had to continue to work.

[@thomasandersen2938]

Sonny doesn't sugarcoat

[@Danny_S.]

A++

[@susanw3066]

Love these interviews,Joe. Sonny seemed like such a wonderful person.

[@user-ww5ui4lo8z]

how is sonny a friend??? he was a traitor, at least Red was sorry for what he did, Sonny wasnt. He deeply hurt Elvis one month before his death. He was excluded by the Memphis Mafia team. Red was accepted when he apologized. He went on to give interviews bad mouthing Priscilla and Lisa for that matter. Lisa is Elvis' beloved daughter. Ungrateful . Lisa specifically mentions the interview Sonny in one of her interviews as well. how hurt she was these people who hang on to her dad and bad mouth him in the end.

[@VegasVixen]

I would have loved to hear Elvis and Judy duet . ❤

[@ramonatepel1701]

Sonny was a great friend god bless him🙏💯❤️⚡️

[@edwardjohnson9422]

Wow. I haven't even finished this segment and I'm hearing stories I've never heard from Sonny or anyone else!

[@FrankieLovesElvis]

I’m here 😊

[@user-ec1jc6oe9l]

I love interviews about close people around Elvis Joe you are great interviewer love your style I wish the best to you !

[@catfish24]

Wow never heard this before. Sonny was a legend in his own wright. Really loved these interesting stories. Thanks for posting this.

[@vicki6070]

Great interview. Looking forward to hearing the other two parts. It seems that Sonny W. started to say something about Jerry S. regarding EP's offer to do "A Star is Born." Jerry S. must have said something about that offer, but Sonny never got back on track. Do you know what that was about? Thank you.

[@gussygatlin3093]

❤

[@TCB0816]

Can't wait 😎⚡

[@ConcertFootageNate]

Sonny has always been the 1 Memphis mafia guys that I like and believe every word he says, I have Elvis what happened book, and have read it several times and yes I don’t like how they wrote the book on elvis but Vernon did them wrong an it was written out of anger for sure, but Sonny and Red proved their love all the yrs after elvis passed..Love listening to Red or Sonny..Rip to both of em!!

[@myrel543]

Wow,cant wait

[@tracie5245]

Love these old stories. Thanks for sharing. 💕 What year was this interview?

[@doriemckay6935]

Read sonny and reds book. 2 weeks before elvis died.

[@user-kt6uw8fm8l]

So sorry that Sonny West also ignored that an addictive personality is not a diagnosable disease or condition, there isn't one single trait that leads to addiction. Was it really necessary for him to also misinform pupils about Elvis ?

[@kathy-t5q]

Sounds like America’s Got Talent. Interesting.

[@opencurtin]

Did that show ever come to light ?

[@jkrein82]

No

[@opencurtin]

@@jkrein82 partly guessed sounded very fanciful and I never heard of it taking place ! Just heard a new James Bond themed show is in the works similar to that

[@mizzprettyhuston]

​​😢

[@lindajones2884]

If sonny was one of them who betrayed ELVIS i don't want to Listen to this

[@user-kr7iv4hp5t]

Good Stuff !

[@bonniebrown6960]

OK wait, another thing. Joe ask Sonny about the Pantera. Sonny said he was with Elvis when he shot the car, but Linda Thompson says she was in the car with Elvis when he was fixing to shoot the car. She said, he told her , Honey get out of the car. She's begging him not to shoot it. I think they all were begging him not to shoot the car. 🤭😆 Billy Smith said, the keys weren't in the car and Elvis was upset about it, so he shot the car. Now,the way I understood it was.... Sonny and several others were there and they all were fixing to leave and go somewhere, but I don't believe Sonny was in the car with Elvis and Linda. If he was....that is the first time I've ever heard that story. Hahaha!! 😄😏🤷‍♀️🤪 It's still a funny story.

[@vicki6070]

LT mentions this in the BBC Documentary 2002, but I don't recall her describing the car. She says EP asked her to step out of the car because it wouldn't start and then he shot it 5 times. They get back in the car and then miraculously it started. Could there be two separate incidents?

[@lifeintune7851]

Believe it was Sheila Ryan

[@Axeman517]

Joe, I’d like to try to repair the issues with the recording you mentioned. Let me know how I can help!

[@jkrein82]

email me

[@Axeman517]

@@jkrein82I’ve contacted you on FB

[@dennisbrayboy4089]

Please please 🙏

[@QueenCreole77]

Joe did the reality show ever happen?

[@jkrein82]

No

[@dakewln8tive]

How old is this interview? Sonny died in 2017. And Red died two months later, same year.

[@jimmyjames2903]

Did this ever happen!!!🙏🙏🙏

[@jkrein82]

Did what happen.?

[@thomasandersen2938]

What year was this interview

[@jkrein82]

Same year as his book if i remember correctly 2015? i think he brings up his last book in. part 3

[@NOVEMBER5TH2024]

This one will be phenomenal as all of them do.

[@listerine414]

I guess that reality show was a bust ....

[@ct8755]

I would guess so. I never saw anything of the sort.

[@latteliz1944]

I read 📚 Sonny West book it was very good❤

[@bonnieisenberg8512]

Love this sonny ❤️❤️❤️

[@randallanthony1794]

That’s too bad they are all dead now.I grew in Elvis and to me his body guards were all that of it.

[@kjetin99]

Aftonbladet

[@opencurtin]

I remember you interviewed Joe Espositos ex girlfriend Shelia and she said that Sonny fobbed Joe off when Joe tried to shake his hand after years of not seen each other it seemed spiteful for a guy who claimed to be a born again Christian.

[@randallanthony1794]

Pusyingbthwtpbwarbon drugs mentsliy.he and as dying he had a bad heart.

[@tolistolis8277]

If anybody read the book: revelations from mm ,have a pic about lots of things about elvis world,

[@tolistolis8277]

Fans keep blame this guys for everything ,its so hard to accept the situation elvis became different person under the influence of drugs? Fans believe if any of them are in position of this guys ,for sure are gonna make elvis cut drugs and blah blah blah, yeah right,