Some Elvis associates are interviewed out, they said. She looks like she was a sweet girl. Although Elvis was unofficially betrothed to Priscilla Presley at the time, the connection he shared with his Viva Las Vegas co-star was too strong to be ignored. A headstone in his honor sits at Graceland. People were crying, said Elliott, and then Joe Esposito made the point that everyone should pull themselves together, so that when they left the hospital no one could see them like this.. Among the stories that appeared across the country in the days following his death were those about: Obsessed fans. There was no way I could do them all, said Esposito, adding, so I said, Gimme two guys. So, there was a pool, and I did an Associated Press and a United Press International interview., Funny thing is, said Esposito, they never pressed about the drugs, but if they had, I guess I might have lied about them.. Thats why we immediately wanted the coffin shot.. October 2, 1977 : After grave robbers tried to steal Elvis casket he is entering his last journey. Ginger met Elvis in the fall of 1976 and they instantly hit it off. In their book, When Elvis Died, Neal and Janice Gregory revealed that Kennedy was actually on assignment for the New York Daily News. Did Priscilla go to Elvis funeral? It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. It left two dead, a third critically injured. That amount in 1977 money is about $19.6 million in 2021 dollars. Elvis Presley died 10 years ago this day. There were so many times like that, so many great things Elvis did. THE USA HAS GIVEN US THREE CULTURAL PHENOMENON: MICKEY MOUSE, COKE A COLA & ELVIS PRESLEY The Australian Herald: ONE HOUR BATTLE FAILS. Officially, Elvis death--at age 42--was attributed to cardiac arrhythmia brought on by an irregular heartbeat caused by undetermined causes., In initial interviews, Elvis personal physician, Dr. George Nichopoulos, denied any drug problems. Meeting Elvis Ginger Alden had just turned 20 years-old on Nov. 13, 1976. . Elvis Presley died 10 years ago this day. From a laymans point of view, the first thing I remembered thinking was, This fellas dead. . Priscilla and Elvis Presley at their 1967 wedding. Ginger and Elvis and ed Parker. But a decade ago, prior to all the talking, Elvis was a veritable mystery man. The alleged plot to steal Elvis body. 6, a Modular Rev Ambulance an orange and white boxlike structure affixed to a GMC chassis turned on the siren and headed south. His most famous home was Graceland, still a tourist attraction today, but he actually lived at nine different homes during those three decades. But the infamous musician was engaged to Ginger Alden before his death. One of the reporters (who has since gone to work for a major newspaper--so please dont use my name, because now Im respectable ) recalled the epic events: We knew we had to be the best because, if youre with the Enquirer, you really are the best. She is an actress and a model and had been dating Elvis Presley at the time of his death. Ginger Alden was barely out of her teens when she first met Elvis Presley. Three men captured in a stakeout near Elvis tomb were accused of attempting to steal Elvis body and hold it for ransom. Crosby and Jones were brought upstairs, where Presley was lying on the floor of his bathroom. But fans and souvenir seekers frequently tampered with his grave, so Presley and his mother Gladys were moved to their current and so far, final resting place at Graceland. But word had already gotten out: They were on to us, said Elliott, because Elvis had come into the hospital in a fire department ambulance. For the next 30 minutes, the hospital fielded a deluge of calls from reporters. Or with Priscilla. After calling Elvis kinfolk in Mississippi, the reporter was asked, What kind of money are we talkin about for this interview? After explaining that she couldnt offer payment, a reporter never got a call back. The 73-year-old grandmother is planning her own funeral and has secretly . From fans to family members to friends, everyone mourned the loss of the pop culture icon. It was enough, they said, to be in the same town with the King when he was laid away. Other Elvis sources have grown accustomed to receiving money for their memories. She was always disappointing him. How Can We Protect Against Galvanic Corrosion? Who was Elvis Presleys girlfriend Ginger? 29 at 2147 Elvis Presley Boulevard. His daughter and his companion, a local woman named Ginger Alden, and about 15 . Miss Alden, wearing the black dress she wore only hours earlier to the funeral, said she wanted to convince herself Presley was not dead. I said, To hell with it. . Ginger Alden who was Elvis' current girlfriend at the time of his death is selling her engagement ring whichElvis gave her. The call, from Elvis road manager Joe Esposito. Whats The Difference Between Dutch And French Braids? "We didn't have years together but it was quality time spent for sure when she visited Elvis and me at Graceland as a young child in 77 and was able to join us on some tours and visit with me at my family home," Alden said. There were a lot of people there, working on Elvis Presley. And since his death, huge amounts of money have been offered to persons who could come into possession of the document. He had planned to announce their engagement publicly on his upcoming tour in Memphis; sadly, he died before this could happen. Two days later, his family, friends, and thousands of his most loyal fans gathered to say their goodbyes. Like the bumper stickers that read, Elvis Lives. Looking away from a reporter, he brushed away a tear. I thought, Oh god, Im busted. And I realized they were pointing at Elvis mothers grave, I was standing right at her gravesite. Around 5 a.m. on the morning of August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley and fiancee Ginger Alden went to bed together, after spending much of the night awake despite Elvis trying to nod off with the aid of various prescription drugs, according to the Express. The hospital called Vernon Presley to tell him that his son was dead. The two were engaged until his untimely death in 1977. Of Elvis problems with drugs, Klein stressed, They were prescription drugs--not illicit drugs., Not that he didnt have colorful exploits with Elvis. For three and a half hours, fans filed by the open coffin to catch a glimpse of Elvis, who was dressed in cream-colored suit, blue shirt and striped tie. We just knew we wanted everything to run smoothly. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. Elvis lived in Memphis for 29 years. How much money did Elvis have in the bank when he died? . (Her twentieth birthday was just six days earlier. Vernon later gave the flowers to the thousands of fans who attended the event. May you rest in peace Lisa. Crosby was driving and Jones was helping with revival attempts in the back. At the time, other journalists also made note of Kennedys visit in print, but they erroneously identified her as a visiting celebrity. Then came a request from Nichopoulos: He wanted to drive to Graceland to break the news to Vernon Presley. Still others have penned their own memoirs. Elvis had the arteries of an 80-year-old man, a Baptist Hospital employee said. Joe Esposito was going to announce the death, but was to overcome with grief. There are also magazines and newsletters devoted to Elvis, some of them offshoots of the many Elvis fan clubs. Elvis Presley: What the Kings Father Explained to His Sons Co-Star Ann-Margret at His Funeral. West said he had no regrets about having written the book. Ginger Alden was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956. After Elvis Presleys death on August 16, 1977 at Graceland, his will appointed his father, Vernon Presley, as executor and trustee. Thousands of fans who loved Elvis and who have expressed their sympathy. Miss Alden, wearing the black dress she wore only hours earlier to the funeral, said she wanted to convince herself Presley was not dead. Time magazine went with LAST STOP ON THE MYSTERY TRAIN. His nine-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie (after whom he named his private Convair 880 jet), was visiting Graceland for two weeks. Can you imagine what all went on? They put Elvis, in his blue pajamas, into Unit No. Just days after his death, Elvis Presley was buried in a cemetery in Memphis, Tenn. Miss Alden, wearing the black dress she wore only hours earlier to the funeral, said she wanted to convince herself Presley was not dead. It is impossible for Elvis to ever look bad! Elvis Presley tragically died in his home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. Im going to the bathroom to read. Those were the words Elvis Presley said to his fiancee, Ginger Alden, early in the morning of August 16, 1977, at his Memphis mansion, Graceland. . [Signed by Elvis A. Presley] ELVIS A. PRESLEY The foregoing instrument, consisting of this . Its the same with our photos of Gary Hart and the girl on his knee. Charlie Crosby and Ulysses S. Jones Jr. jumped into Unit No. Elvis Presleys grandson Benjamin Keough buried in Graceland alongside King of Rock and Roll. Yes, they did. George Klein, a friend since the eighth grade (We had all the exact same classes, all through Humes High School) ducked interview requests for a year following the death, because I had to get things in perspective. Well, there was a single exception: This CBS newscaster got me as I was on my way to the funeral., Klein has since become an accessible Elvis source--one who speaks reverently and carefully about his friend. Ginger Alden was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956. On August 7th, Elvis had rented Libertyland, a local amusement park, from midnight till dawn. Alden was reportedly the last person to see him alive, and she still has fond memories of her short time with The King. .. Did Ginger Alden Attend Elvis Funeral. The Denver Posts editorial declared: SUDDENLY WE FEEL OLDER. According to Peter H. Brown, who covered the death for the Pensacola, Fla. News-Journal, The main attitude at the time was one of awe. Did Elvis really love Ginger Alden? Adding to the congestion of people were 16,000 Shriners in town for a convention. Alden was also allegedly banned from entering Elvis' Graceland home, with Elvis' uncle Vester telling The Daily Express that "Ginger Alden is dead now as far as the family is concerned.". 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved He was hospitalized four times, from 1973 prior to his death. Presley became close to both parents and formed an especially close bond with his mother. How many houses did Elvis Presley have? > the National Enquirer before she called for help for Elvis. They were all staring at me and pointing. This after the family decided that a flower should go to each fan who hadnt been able to view the body. So we had to get something no one else had. She had just turned twenty, while Elvis was twenty-one years her senior. Even so, at 2:56 p.m. he was rushed into the emergency room, which was then closed to all other cases. How Do You Get Rid Of Hiccups In 5 Seconds. How much did Lisa Marie inherit from . What about the good? The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time What set all the drug talk in motion was a tell-all paperback, published just 15 days prior to Elvis death. Alden was 21 years younger than Presley, but that didnt stop the couple from developing a serious relationship during the last year of his life. Did Ginger Alden keep her engagement ring? Elvis Presley's family banned girlfriend Ginger from Graceland after The King's death ELVIS PRESLEY'S family stopped his fiancee at the gates of Graceland after his death. One of the many mourners was Ann-Margret, a Swedish-American actress who was once one of Elvis Presleys former lovers. With those calls, I said to myself, What in the hell would Elvis like to have been said about him? . maureenhall1966 Maybe she only grabbed this dress as she was in a haze of disbelief and sorrow. How much did Ginger Alden get for her engagement ring? There is no doubt that with Elvis' death rock n roll music died and the world would never be the same again. The city came to resemble a gypsy camp as tens of thousands of followers dropped whatever they were doing wherever they were and made their way to where they knew they had to be. What did Priscilla do after Elvis died? the Little Dipper, the Fender Bender and the parks 11 other rides. Some had scoops fall into their laps. Did Priscilla go to Elvis funeral? Priscilla Presley Disputes Invalid Amendment to Lisa Maries Trust Did Ginger Alden go to Elvis funeral? Alden notably didn't spend much time at Graceland, and did not want to move there. By her own admission, she had never been much of anywhere. He was found in the room next door to the bedroom of his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, by his girlfriend, Ginger Alden. Clad only in blue top and yellow pyjama bottom. The singer dated Alden until his death in August 1977. Sadly, paramedics were unable to save Elvis Presley once they arrived. The Elvis tour that never happened. You were loved and will be deeply missed". Id fluff his hair back out, the way he liked it, he remembered. But the infamous musician was engaged to Ginger Alden before his death. How did Elvis mom die? Did Ginger Alden attend Elvis funeral? And we werent going to be out for two weeks. He added: You know, sometimes I think that if Elvis were alive today, everything would be OK. Now its no big deal to have a drug problem--people are open about them. Elvis read that and got so upset that he had a top-of-the-line wheelchair bought and delivered. He had planned to announce their engagement publicly on his upcoming tour in Memphis; sadly, he died before this could happen. Now the district manager for the state of Tennessee for Guardian Plans Inc., a division of Service Corp. International, Kendall oversees agents who sell prearranged funerals. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Elvis had the Presidential Suite. 8. The world lost the King of Rock 40 years ago last August, and now his longtime queen is opening up about the day she said goodbye. "I will always remember riding in the golf cart with Lisa at her father's home, something she loved so very much and taking her to good "ole" Mcdonalds for a burger," she added. I cannot. . (The Enquirer was then published biweekly.) . His daughter and his companion, a local woman named Ginger Alden, and about 15 friends spent the night riding Caseys Cannonball. We automatically didnt say anything about them.. We took uppers to stay awake and sleeping pills to get to sleep. Ginger has a body measurement of around 38-32-40 inches. But as everyone knows, Elvis did everything in excess. These days, Alden stays out of the public eye as much as she can. The excitement of those visits, said Elliott, never prepared him for the events of Aug. 16, 1977. The sense of loss was echoed across the country. He was gone. The interview was carried out by Nancy Anderson who Elvis had previously met as the West Coast editor of Photoplay magazine. As one interview was proceeding for this article, the reporter was told, You dont need to take notes. Id gotten accustomed to Elvis Presley coming into the hospital and, well, checking out again. At 2:33 p.m. the call came to the Memphis Fire Departments Engine House No. In her book, she describes that she embraced Vernon tightly during the funeral, writing, There was so much to say, to recount. Elvis Presley, was still wearing her 11 1/2-carat diamond engagement ring as she recalled the final hours of . TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. The photo helped to sell more than 6.5 million copies of the Enquirer--its top-selling issue ever. Just after 2pm Tuesday, August 16, 1977 Ginger Alden found Elvis, face down, unconscious, on the floor in the bathroom at Graceland. Low-profile art world family seeks personal assistant, NBCs Chicago series have strong showings but CBS wins weekly TV ratings race, Hunger Games star Jena Malone says someone I had worked with sexually assaulted her, Travis Barkers finger injury delays Blink-182 tour: One of those freak accidents. Elvis Presleys Manager Joe Espositio confirms that while on the set in Hollywood filming some of his movies in the 1960s they crossed paths many times. Well, we were all impressed. Did Ginger Alden sell her engagement ring from Elvis? Learning that Thompson had tried to reach him, he promptly called her back on the dentists phone, never thinking wed be talking for an hour and 40 minutes., He surmised: I think I was a shoulder to cry on. It was Dr. George Nichopoulos who broke the news to Elvis friends. Thats what happened with the drugs.. She has said if she was thinking clearly she would have been in white. What celebrities were at Elvis funeral? Previously, he served as a Music Editor at PEOPLE and VH1.com. Red West remembers tuning into a Geraldo Rivera report on Good Morning America the morning after Elvis death and hearing Elvis: What Happened? branded a lie. Like Bill E. Burk, reporter/columnist with the now-defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar. Recalled Elliott: She called and said, Weve just gotten Elvis Presley in respiratory distress--and it doesnt look good., Well, that floored me. Although they werent together at the time of his passing, one of Elvis former flames had an emotional moment with Elvis father at the time of his funeral. It was just too hard to believe, she said of that difficult moment in 1977 when the procession left Graceland, the rambling estate they had called home prior to their divorce several years earlier. Did Ginger Alden attend Elvis funeral? Elvis Presley: Ginger Alden says there are a lot of untruths Elvis gave Ginger a massive diamond engagement ring in his final months. Elvis was crouched over.His face dark and bloated. She also noted how special Lisa Marie was to her father and recalled a moment between her and Elvis where he commented on just how alike they were. Before his death, Elvis Presley was engaged to his soon-to-be-bride Ginger Alden for seven months. Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margaret, John Wayne and Roger Smith attended the private funeral service. Did Ginger Alden attend Elvis funeral? It was like we were defectors--nobody wanted to believe what we had to say, said West, who now makes his living as a character actor in Hollywood. Advertisements What does Ginger Alden do now? On learning of Elvis death, the woman had dressed her house in mourning and spent the night on her knees in prayer. That all changed. Otherwise, said friends, Elvis was swimming daily in the pool at Graceland, playing racquet ball nightly and going over the music for his 11-day tour, which was to culminate with two shows at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis August 27th and 28th. 2. 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