While some kin can gladly share true and inspiring stories with Elvis fans, unfortunately, there are those among close relatives and friends who have felt, and continue to feel, the need to detract and to disprove others' claims to kinship and to other Elvis-related issues. For many there is no need to prove kinship, however, for some it has long been questionable, and the tactics used by some to claim kinship, when there is none, is no less indecent and disrespectful as are the "stolen valor" claims among veterans. Pitiful and deeply troubling as it is there are, also, those who have, for decades, pretended to be Elvis, leading vulnerable fans to frenzies and hysteria which still continues to this day! No, Pastor Bob Joyce is NOT Elvis.
Following are the Kin of Rock and Roll responses to some of these false claims, to attacks on our history and heritage, and to personal affronts in general, along with commentaries on all things Elvis.
...please refrain from attempting to "contact," from saying you have "contacted" both Elvis and Lisa Marie. It is inappropriate to the memory of either one, nor is it acceptable to God. Please let their souls be at peace.
Please stop spreading these rumors! Pastor Joyce was born in 1952. Elvis was born in 1935. Do the math.
Seriously? Everything Priscilla is and has done, the empire she has created, was all based upon the blood, sweat and tears of Elvis Presley, her former husband. Without Elvis Priscilla would have been unknown to the world. Those who knew Elvis knew the truth about how his marriage came to be, and while Elvis did love her, no doubt, it came to be that after their divorce, he had moved on and began to see another person other than the one he thought he had once known. Granted, her desire to be buried at Graceland is not unfounded, after all she did build it up after Elvis was gone. However, should she be buried with, or near, her former husband whom she divorced? Priscilla was no longer Elvis' wife and, surely, she is not his widow. Priscilla Presley is who she is because of Elvis Presley, lest we forget. A movie about her life was not necessary, and we have to wonder how much truth has gone into the venture. Is it a gesture of sympathy for Priscilla whom stories tell had a difficult life with the king of rock and roll? Elvis never fully told his side of the story, except on a personal level. There is so much more to tell with respect to Elvis' relationship with Priscilla, and, sadly, he is no longer here to defend himself.
To defend Ginger, Elvis did plan to marry her. He bought her an engagement ring for $10,000., which she still has in her possession. There was a time when Elvis did want Priscilla back, but that idea fizzled after awhile, and they seemed to remain "friends." There was a term Elvis had for Priscilla, which will not be mentioned here out of respect for both parties. Priscilla was all about the grandeur, lavish lifestyle, and public society which Elvis had had his share of, often rebuking it. He wanted a quiet life, away from the glitter and fame. He became tired and, unwell from lack of peace. He did love "Gingerbread," as he affectionately called her, but he did begin to have second thoughts on another marriage, possibly because of his declining health. Regardless, Elvis never would have gone back to Priscilla. His plan was to move on with his life and not look back.
TheKin of Rock and Roll responds to Prince Harry's insulting claim of "...the 'King' lived here? Really?" and whoever designed the king's home "must have been on acid." He went on further to say that the home looked like a "badger den." Well, Princey, first of all, Elvis never referred to himself as "king." The name was given to him as an honorary title for his place in music history. Elvis always proclaimed there was only one King: Jesus Christ. The decor of the 1970's, in general, leaves something to be desired. It was a period of odd furnishings and styles. The son of a Royal King would not know that because royalty lives as royalty is. With all his millions, however, Elvis remained a humble soul whose home remained simple and dotted with mementoes from his treasured past, centered around living comfortably but not excessively or privileged. Yet, he held the world in the palm of his hand, and, clearly, remembered his roots and respected his family. To that end, Harry, you could learn a good lesson from Elvis as far as humbleness and respecting family regardless of how bad or good they may be. You may want to rethink the disruption you have allowed and caused within the Royal household mainly because of your anger at being the second son of the now, King of England. Your offensive remarks are irritating and quite the liberal standard.
Yes; Suzanne is who she claims to be: a great-great granddaughter of Noah Presley, a son of Rosella Presley. However, Suzanne's "Find A Grave" page for Rosella Presley tells a totally different story than the actual truth of this family history. Suzanne takes it upon herself to mock other family members for giving what she claims to be false information regarding Rosella's family history. Well, Suzanne, here it goes:
You tell us that Rosella Presley was "married," citing the tax record in 1910 that shows her as "widowed." Perhaps she claimed that to cover the fact that she never married, or, perhaps, she was married briefly to a man who died early on. In light of this claim, there is NO record of marriage, nor marriage note, found anywhere for Rosella Presley who remained with maiden name, giving same to all of her children. Had the father of her children been married to their mother, they would have been given the legitimate father's surname as their own. To further prove your claim is bogus, John "Henry" Wallace may have been a black man, however, he was not the same John Wallace who fathered Rosella's children out of wedlock, he being married with children of his own at the same time. Both Vernon and Elvis Presley knew the Wallace family very well and referred to them as "cousins." Vernon knew very well that he was related to the Wallace family. He was also very close to Mackey Hargett and Mackey's mom, Lillian. Vernon asked Mackey not to tell Rosella's true story so as not to interfere with Elvis' success. Mackey waited long after Vernon's death before revealing the truth in order to set the record straight. The story of Rosella Presley, as told by Mackey Hargett, is the truth, and it is most unfortunate that the truth is being questioned now when that truth has been known, and was a long-kept secret by the family for many years.
The Kin of Rock and Roll, along with members of the Elvis world, have followed around "Jon Cotner" for many years. From what we have learned, there are several men involved in one scheme, each portraying a man with a ficticious name pretending to be Elvis. This person(s) has alluded to being Elvis Presley despite marked differences in vocals, demeanor, and disgruntled attitude toward some fans and even family members. This person(s) has perpetrated a decades-old farce and duped many Elvis fans. So, whoever you (they) are, THE CARNIVAL IS OVER.
UPDATESo, while it had been established that "Jon Cotner, himself," was a single abuser of Elvis' legacy despite being the most reknowned of all the frauds, it is noted that the "mystery man" did pass away in 2019. Prayers for his soul.
Deborah Presley Brando claims to be Elvis' daughter, but there is yet to see a DNA test proving this claim. She tells the Elvis World that her mother and Elvis had a fling before Elvis became famous. Previously married to Marlon Brando's son, Christian, we suggest Deborah should take a DNA test. DNA always tells the truth.
The myth that was Eliza Presley, the self-proclaimed "illegitimate daughter of Vernon Presley," has been debunked. False DNA was used to prove her kinship to Elvis, as Elvis' sister. The DNA used came from hair found in a comb belonging to Donna Pritchett Presley, a 1st cousin of Elvis.
The Elvis impersonator, Jerry Presley, who has made a fortune on trying to be better than Elvis, furthering this foolhearty obsession by pretending to be a "second cousin" of Elvis when, in fact, Jerry is a very distant Presley cousin. The Kin of Rock and Roll had discovered a scam perpetrated by Jerry; having himself inserted into the original printing of "The Roots of Elvis" by promoting his false and cunning claim to be a descendant of Rosella Presley, which is certainly is not. Turns out no one in Rosella's chain of descendants knew, or ever heard of, Jerry Presley. Let us not forget that Jerry Presley was an integral part of the "Elvis is Alive" agenda. When Barbara Lee met Jerry at an Elvis' event at Marlowe's, presented by one of the major Elvis' fan clubs, she was giving a lecture at on the Presley family history, and Jerry Presley was present. He said, afterward, that he wanted to speak to Barbara Lee about the family history, but when the time came, Jerry suddenly disappeared.
Some people feel the necessity to prove themselves, to verbally attack others, to disagree with family stories, or to conjure up lies about their kinship and closeness to Elvis. Elvis was not a god. He was not a king. He was a man. A cousin, a friend, a human being. The issues, however, continue to this day, and, as such, will continue to be responded to accordingly. Truth is truth. Period.