George Klein - Elvis: My Best Man: Radio Days, Rock n Roll Nights, and My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley

GK, my man.

Elvis was in a good mood. And when Elvis was in a good mood, everybody around Elvis was in a good mood.

Hey, Elvis. Hey, everybody, I answered.

Get over here, GK, he said. Sit down and stay a while.

He was looking relaxed, happy, and cool as could be sitting at the head of the table in the Graceland dining room. He gestured to the empty chair next to him on his right, so thats where I took my seat, saying my hellos to some of the other folks at the table: Priscilla, Joe Esposito, Charlie Hodge, Richard Davis. It was a couple of days into the new year of 1969, and Joe, Charlie, and Richard were all working for Elvisfamiliar members of our so-called Memphis Mafiaso it was no surprise to see them at this informal, post-holiday dinner. There were a few faces down at the other end of the table that werent seen as often at Graceland, faces that represented more of the business side of Elviss world: record producer Felton Jarvis, whod become a trusted musical ally after working some of Elviss Nashville sessions a few years before; Freddy Bienstock, liaison to the Hill and Range Publishing company that supplied and administered almost all of the songs Elvis recorded; and Tom Diskin, the right-hand man to Elviss longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Elvis had been making me a welcome guest at Graceland since hed bought the place back in 1957. In fact, Id been with him when he looked at the property before he purchased it. I was comfortable enough at Graceland that, like most of us close to Elvis, I didnt really think of it as Gracelandit was simply the house. But as many times as Id been welcomed in, there was still something especially wonderful about being in Elviss home during the holiday season.

This year, Elvis had gotten back to Memphis just before Christmas, having finished work on one of his Hollywood films, and Id been happy to spend as much time with him as I could through the holidays. As always, Elvis and Priscilla had turned the Graceland grounds into a kind of winter wonderland, with sparkling lights strung up all through the propertys magnificent oak trees, and a beautiful Christmas tree set up in the dining room. He loved the season, and this Christmas had been a particularly sweet oneit was his first as a father. On Christmas Eve a few of us had gathered at the house for a very warm and happy holiday party (with Elviss father, Vernon, dressing up to play Santa Claus for the benefit of ten-month-old Lisa Marie). In the week between Christmas and New Years wed enjoyed several nights of private movie screenings at the Memphian Theater (Elvis liked the crazy comedy Candy with Marlon Brando), and we all rang in 1969 with a private party at the Thunderbird Lounge in midtown Memphis.

In the days after New Years, Graceland returned to its natural rhythmsElvis would come downstairs to have his dinner around ten P.M ., and whoever was around was more than welcome to sit down and join him. This night, the table was laid out with some of his Southern favoritesmeat loaf, greens, mashed potatoes, cornbread. Id learned years before that midnight meat loaf did not sit very well with me, so Id gotten in the habit of eating before I came over, and then just nursing a Pepsi or having a little dessert when I sat with Elvis for his late supper. This night, I wasnt thinking about the meal at all, though. When Id heard that Felton and Tom and Freddy were coming over, I knew business was going to be discussed. And I wanted to be a part of that conversation. I wasnt sure yet how I was going to say what I wanted to say, but I knew it had to be said.