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Backstage
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"Elvis... Live & in Concert" MORE POPULAR NOW THAN EVER. January 8, 1935 in a two room shack in Tupelo Mississippi, twin boys were born to a poor itinerant couple. Tragically, one twin dies at birth, but perhaps as fate's way of compensating, the surviving twin goes on to become the greatest "Live-in-Concert" entertainer of all time. His name...Elvis Aron Presley. The impact Elvis had, and continues to have is unprecedented. As John Lennon said "Before Elvis there was nothing". There likely will never be another icon like Elvis. Since Elvis' untimely death August 16, 1977, his fame and importance have grown to unimagined heights, and it just keeps growing...
Joe Esposito: Since the passing of Col. Tom Parker, no living person knows more about Elvis Presley than Joe Esposito. He was Elvis' closest friend, road manager for 17 years, Don of the Memphis Mafia, best man at Elvis & Priscilla's wedding, discovered Elvis' body the day he died, and made all the funeral arrangements. Here is how your listeners will hear Joe describe this tragic event... "Yes, I was the one that was there, and I was the one that called the ambulance when Elvis passed away. I rode with him to the hospital, trying to revive him all the way to the hospital and it's part of my life that will always be there; but at least I was glad that I was there, because I did as much as I could for him at the time and I was there for his last performance, his funeral. It's a hard thing to talk about." Joe has written two books, "Good Rockin' Tonight...20 Years on the Road with Elvis" and "Elvis... Intimate and Rare". He's consulted on many movies and was most helpful, willing and supportive throughout the production of this 3 hour radio music documentary. |
Joe Esposito, Vernon Presley and Elvis waving goodbye to 60,000 people at the Houston Astrodome, February 27, 1970 |
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As Elvis Presley's road
manager and best friend, Joe Esposito was with Elvis for every live
concert and between. Hall of fame radio personality Red Robinson: In his entire career, Elvis Presley made only 3 live concert performances outside the U.S. All 3 were in Canada in 1957... Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa. Red Robinson emceed the Vancouver concert August 31, 1957 and hosted the media conference. Your listeners will hear Red tell interesting personal stories about being backstage with Elvis... including this happening... "With the press conference over, the reporters were ushered out. As Emcee of the show, I remained with Elvis. Let me tell you about an incident that happened while we killed the hour or so remaining until show time. It taught me that, while Elvis was always polite, he also had a wild streak of fun in him. After we'd been chatting for some time, Elvis opened the dressing room door at the stadium and invited one of the policemen outside to come in. He asked to borrow the cop's handcuffs... then casually handcuffed me to a shower rod. Then he hid the key and laughed wildly at the joke. Remember, this was 1957. He was only 22 years old, and I was just 20... just a couple of kids clowning around..." Red hosted the media reception and conducted a rare interview with Elvis - it is now a best selling collector's item sold worldwide on CD and is included on this documentary. Rock 'n Roll history books credit Red Robinson as being one of the first DJs to play and promote Elvis records. Red's life story is the subject of the hit musical "Red Rock Diner" now touring major North American cities. His contribution to Rock 'n Roll was paid the ultimate recognition when he was installed into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio in 1995 and was inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame in 1997. |