As stated in my link Meet Marc Bluestone, Elvis Presley is the second most influential person in my life. My precious mother is the number one person by far. I feel it is all surreal.
From the beginning of his career in 1954, before Elvis was famous, until now in 2010, it will never change. This is probably due to different reasons than you have ever heard before. I will not even try to mention them all, but the reasons I mention will give the insight to my connection for the past 56 years to “the man who changed the world” by his overall, one-of-a-kind gift from God. For me, it all started before he was famous, in the latter part of 1954. I was 12 years old and in the latter part of the seventh grade. I would listen to a country music station on the radio, that was on only at night in LA, I believe from Texas. I have always loved pure country music and old western movies.
Immediately when I first heard Elvis and saw him, I said to my mother “There is something with Elvis that has never been seen or heard before.” Once my mother heard him and also learned of his PURE LOVE for his mother, my mom adored him forever. Once his songs came out in records (45s and 33s), my mother bought them for me. We lived in a huge colonial house that covered half the block. It was similar to Elvis’s Graceland home in the front, with columns and pillars. We would listen to him for hours constantly in our living room. At first, I got some flack from people about Elvis and the way he looked, but that quickly changed when he became so famous in such a short time. Then Elvis took the world by storm in 1955 and 1956 (mainly 1956). It only enhanced my feelings when he made more records and appearances that resulted from his gift from God. I knew that everything about him was so unique—his golden voice, that spirit (very important to me), that feeling, charisma, presence, and his unbelievable look.
With Elvis’s one-of-a-kind natural greatness that inspires to such a degree, there is and always has been a connection with his life for me. Elvis is not an idol or hero who I worship. He is so much more that can never be changed. I personally had such a gifted life—my values, sports, accomplishments, business, socially, well-known beautiful ladies and always my PURE LOVE ones—humans and dogs. What Elvis added throughout my life was and is a surreal feeling (gift to the world) in the fiber of my being that couldn’t be altered. I feel, and many others have told me, it is one-of-a-kind.
Now just a few of the classic moments in time: First I must say, my precious mother would say to me, “God has blessed me with you and the world also.” Of course my mother was partial—with me being her son. My mother also said Elvis’s mother is blessed with him by God (spiritual) and the world—he is like no other. This, about Elvis, I feel is totally correct!! This one event will capture some of my Elvis connection. In 1957 Elvis came out with a masterpiece—his Christmas album. Elvis was only 22. My beloved album that my mother bought for me was a 33 RPM record. Since then and now, 53 years later, I listen to it every Christmas. I will only listen to my original. Both my mother and I said in 1957 that his mother must be so proud. Some of the songs are well renowned, even today. For me, there is one song that still inspires me—so deep inside—that I have not heard played anywhere—radio, TV, etc. George Klein, Elvis’s school friend, I think would be the person to know what song it is. Pure genius at work—Elvis. It would be my privilege to be at Graceland, in Memphis with George Klein as we both listened to it, George has his radio show on the Elvis Station from Graceland on XM Radio.
As a teenager and in my early twenties, the connection I felt with Elvis was always to such a high level. A compliment I would get from my girlfriends and close friends was that I resembled Elvis. As he became so famous, I would never pigeon-hole him, but it is all true. A great singer with that feeling and soul, his charisma, presence, etc., it was light years more. The world has never seen anything like him and never will. As I continue forward, I will omit some of the classic moments with Elvis, such as those with his father Vernon and wife Priscilla. These are such endearing treasures that before they come out in the public domain, I feel they first should be spoken about with his immediate family if possible.
I now will try to be as precise and as short as possible, which is difficult, so as to convey the correct feeling and emotions—I hope you understand. There are many coincidences with myself and Elvis, and also with regard to our respective mothers. I first met Elvis when I was 21 and he was 28 in the latter part of 1963 on the set of his movie Viva Las Vegas. My best friend Ron, a true brother to me, worked in that movie and he introduced me to Elvis. We talked at different times for three days on the set. Elvis was so gracious, and we both talked with such a natural feeling. Some of what we talked about included my telling him in my own way what he meant to me and our connection with our PURE LOVE for our respective mothers. He had just lost his adoring mother five years earlier. My friend Ronnie heard us and asked, “Did you see how Elvis looked at you when you talked about your mothers? It was truly so admiring—like you were brothers.” Ron added “you talked with such ease and conviction—it was vintage Marc.” I have never tried to copy Elvis. But his influences on me are so obvious to the people I know.
In the middle of the 1960s I was delighted to be able to obtain a gold first, and then a silver pair of sunglasses like Elvis had made especially for himself and his friends from the same optical store near Beverly Hills on the Sunset Strip where Elvis had earlier purchased his sunglasses. At first, the glasses were on display, but the store employees said they were unable to sell them to the public. I asked the store manager to tell Elvis who I was, and if I could buy the sunglasses. I came back a couple of weeks later to the store, where I was told that it was okay. After Elvis died in 1977 I just couldn’t wear them again until after my beloved dog Shane was killed, and then I made them into bifocals for reading as well at the time of my Shane trial. The frames are the same as when I bought them, as well as the color of the lenses on both pairs. I wear them all the time, some 45 years later, for dual purposes. I always liked the look of them for me from the beginning.
In 1969 Elvis started his Las Vegas concerts at Hilton International Hotel. I was fortunate to come to one of his very first concerts, which I continued to do, twice a year, until he died. Here is another example that is so imbedded in my mind. Each time I came to Las Vegas, a prominent person from the hotel would give me a pass for two to Elvis’s concert. He would though out the years, each time, I was there, write on a piece of paper circled that would say pass for two for me to give the maitre d’ to see the show in 1969 and for years afterwards. I would always sit in the center, fairly close to the stage, in the section that I preferred. I still remember the seat numbers were in the 80s, mostly seat numbers 86 and 87. Right behind me, in the center booth was Priscilla, where she always sat when she was married to Elvis. We talked many times.
At one of his first shows that I attended, I got Elvis’s attention, and he threw his scarf to me, which I caught as I stood up and said who I was and we acknowledged each other. I have this scarf proudly framed and on my wall in my home like many pictures of the king that are significant to me. I would call out two of my favorite songs for him to sing: Suspicious Minds and Sweet Caroline. He was so prime-time Elvis and lethal when he sang them—so classic—but then everything he sang was like nobody else could ever sing them. He was a pure natural genius. Then with his golden voice and that unreal style, the inspirational effect he had on me has continued from day one until today. I can hardly describe the effect he had and continues to have on me.
Now, back to the person who gave me the pass to see Elvis in concert for years: Each time I offered to tip him for the pass, but he would not take it. I saw that he did take tips from other people for his kindness. We didn’t know each other personally. We talked only briefly when I came. Then one time after several years, he said to me, with an admiring look, “Marc, you just have to be here to see Elvis, don’t you?” I said “You are right,” and I added “We don’t really know each other. What makes you say this?” He said, “I have seen thousands of people who see Elvis, but with you, it is so different.” I responded, “Why will you not take a tip from me for your kindness for giving me the pass each time, like you accept from others?” He said, “I just can’t from you. It is not right.” I told him that he “got it” as to what Elvis means to me and I thanked him warmly for his insight.
Footnote on Elvis concerts: I either went with a girlfriend, alone or my best friend Ronnie. The maitre d’ would, at times, seat a single good looking girl next to me and I even dated one of them for a few months.
Now comes a day that is always alive in my memory. It was September 6th, 1978. It was the unveiling of the Elvis bronze statue by Barron Hilton himself, who made a beautiful classic speech at the Las Vegas Hilton where Elvis always performed. I was invited to attend. This was a year after Elvis died. After the ceremony, I spoke to Priscilla and then I heard someone call my name near the stage. It was the famous Rock and Roll singer Rick Nelson. Rick and I played on the same team for a few years in the 1960s in the entertainment fast pitch softball league. Rick was an excellent ball player and a super guy. Rick and I spoke about catching up on our life and his singing, and what Elvis meant to each of us. Then the moment came that still blows me away. As I then walked through the casino, I was approaching an elevator, when it opened and there was Elvis’s dad Vernon in a wheelchair. He had previously been on the stage for the unveiling of the Elvis bronze statue. He was not that well, and obviously had a broken heart about the loss of his son. As he came out of the elevator, I dropped down on one knee to be at eye level with him. I gave all my sympathy to him about Elvis and talked about what Elvis meant to me. Vernon, to my extremely kind admiration, placed his hand firmly around on my left wrist with such warmth and firmness and kept it there throughout our conversation. What he said to me will always endear me greatly. When I was talking about Elvis’s and are PURE LOVE for our respective mothers, Vernon was nodding. He said that Elvis had told him about a person he met on a movie set who loved his mother like he did. Than I said “Was it on the set of the Viva Las Vegas movie?” Vernon said “Yes, it was.” I responded “That was me.” I know that I had tears in my eyes and Vernon held on to me even tighter, with watery eyes. Our conversation was so warm. I then took out one of my favorite pictures of Elvis, which he signed. It is proudly framed, and on display in my home.
Footnote about Priscilla: I had not seen Priscilla from that day in 1978 until 2005. As we talked then after all the years, I told her she always handles herself with such class and dignity. She responded so warmly.
When Elvis died on August 16, 1977, a person named Kent called me at my office. He was also in the textile business. He told me he heard that Elvis just died. I said to him, I didn’t even know you knew what Elvis means to me. He said that anybody who really knows you is aware of it. I thanked him for telling me, and he was touched by this.
Kent was an important person to me (but not a close friend) because many years before he was a help to me on two different occasions upon my request to leave my prominent position at work (before becoming Vice President) for an extended time to help save a dog (not mine) and help it get better. The dog was in critical condition after being hit in a near fatal car accident and was bleeding all over as it was trying to come to me when I was playing basketball in a park. I immediately picked him up and drove him to a veterinarian all the while trying to clean up the blood and comfort him because he was in shock. His stomach and leg were ripped open. On another occasion, an ex-girlfriend (at the time) was also in near fatal, critical condition after being in a head-on car accident in which her girlfriend was killed. My ex-girlfriend and the dog both recovered. I just knew by the spirit of what God gave me that I could and would be with them to help heal them by my presence and effort.
One of my values that is well known in the public domain of Elvis and Frank Sinatra is having loyalty big-time to close friends, etc. A deep-felt example with me was my best friend and true brother, Ron. Our friendship was such a strong bond and we had respect for each other for years, starting in college in 1960 and continuing through the mid-1970s, until his untimely death. From the start, we played sports together. In football, he was the quarterback, and I was the wide receiver. We had both had our own dream lives—success in business, with many beautiful women, both natural-born leaders of our friends in a great Rock and Roll era, sports, etc, as well as sharing some classic, funny stories and situations that we were part of. They still resonate with me today and bring a smile. We always looked out for each other, with the true friendship of always standing by and supporting one another with never any jealousy over what we each achieved in any area. There was never an angry word. Of course, like all people, we had some different interests. This friendship never broke. There were so many beautiful woman that gravitated to each of us and we both handled it with class and pride in each other. Ron would say "It was because of the way you look" and I said "It was both of us in our own right" no jealousy at all!
My mother would call him her fourth son and his father was like a father to me. (My father died in 1960.) Ron looked like a young Tony Curtis and was from a prominent family in the Beverly Hills area. We were in the middle of the Rock & Roll era in the 60s and early 70s and were the leaders of our friends. We just thought our dream lives were “just the way it is” and sustained our values. Now the media looks back on that era as “history making.” Looking back, I now understand that I grew up in the 50s and 60s and had a dream life and was living in the thick of it in the best era. I also won many Rock & Roll dance contests in the 50s and 60s as well. Starting when I was 12 years old, I won first place in the Al Jarvis dance TV show. It was acknowledged that I was the best dancer they ever had on the show. This talent continued into adulthood. This came from my god given talent as well as my precious mother. My mother won the highest awards for ballroom dancing from Arthur Murray Dance Studio as well as Fred Astaire Dance Studio. She preformed many times on TV.
I feel fortunate to have lived a full, quality life throughout my entire life. Adversity hits us all. I am so proud to face it all standing straight with courage, a strong will, and my claim to what I so believe in is the “Essence of My Being.” I never minimize the effect that my PURE LOVE ones and people I admire so much (ex. Elvis) have had on my being. I am always growing from their effects on me. Note: as a true athlete, I never took drugs at any time. Overall, what a life. Like everybody, I’ve had the normal ups and downs of living.
Back to my connection to Elvis: I always listen to Elvis when driving my car. When my beloved Shane was at the specialty vet hospital, (which I later called the “Butcher Shop” after she was killed and after what they really did to her) I saw the horror and terror that they perpetrated on her and all the life-threatening ailments she obtained at the hospital. See the link Shane’s Ordeal Perpetrated by Sheer Evil. Coming home each night from visiting her, at about midnight, often after up to 10 hours each day, for almost 3 months, my heart was broken. Listening to Elvis in my car helped me persevere. It was so personal. Some of my favorite songs and messages were not his biggest hits—there were so many, one in particular.
During my Shane Trial (See Historic Superior Court Jury Trial Shane Case) to obtain justice for the torture, evil killing of my beloved dog Shane, I knew the evil ones and people who gave alibis, defended, and were in collusion would come out with their sinister ways and lies. They couldn’t intimidate me. The defendants got wind of my connection with Elvis. When I was on the stand in the trial (naturally, Elvis had nothing to do with my Shane Case), they brought up Elvis and our respective mothers in their sick, sinister ways. As always, I was composed and under control, and responded “How dare you make a mockery. I had the honor and privilege of talking to Elvis Presley about our PURE LOVE for our respective mothers and you try to make a mockery of this. Where is your conscious? You have none.” (I also added other choice words.) Then I said, “Next question.” When I spoke, you could have heard a pin drop in the courtroom. Many people afterwards said I handled this with such class and it was sick what they tried to do. None of this was surprising to me because they were habitual and/or pathological liars. I have always said in my life under any format and setting, “I will shred with words, anybody who defames my loved ones and people I so admire.” God has always blessed me with my mother and I always stand up straight and strong about her, etc.
Upon graduating from high school, just before going to college on an athletic scholarship, I went into the Army. The timing was right for me to serve before continuing on my life’s journey. There were different reasons: one was the influence of Elvis going into the Army in 1958 to serve his country. My mother approved of my decision.
Finally, for now, in my life, the PURE LOVE with my mother and also my sister (my mother and my sister—PURE LOVE to each I will cherish my whole life). I saw this one other time when Elvis and I talked, and I saw his eyes when he spoke about his mother and himself. It was the “man who changed the world”—Elvis Presley.
My loyalty to Elvis: When Elvis first burst on the scene, some people said he was “just a fad.” But I said “No way!” Years later, when Elvis died, some people said his memories would fade away. Again I said “No way!” Elvis is the King forever like no other.
