Once he strayed from his picture-perfect, seductiveimage, someridiculed and discardedhim. Dr. It was hard to be Elvis, no one had done fame like that before, and no one else could do it for him. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Looking back at her past, she said theres one memory that still vividly sticks out. Some of the many interesting and caloric meals heconsumed over the yearsincluded, the Fools Gold Loaf, which was "made with a jars worth of blueberry jam, a jars worth of peanut butter and an entire pound of bacon," and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the King's death was a monumental blow. Vernon Presley and Elvis Presley on stage during a concert recorded on June 19, 1977, in Omaha, Nebraska. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain. It seems like his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more than likely had something to do with losing her other son. But with his life ended, those who loved him could now remember the man he'd once been, revolutionizing rock music with his energy, charisma, and raw talent. He took too much at times but he was self-medicating because he was trying to find a way to be Elvis Presley., Addiction specialists might term that elaborate rationalisation and justification of a king-size nature, but Hoedel says Presley also felt responsible for his family (as many as 10 members lived with him at Graceland), his band and the Memphis Mafia the courtiers who surrounded him. His excuse for throwing all these high-octane drugs around? … We really aren't happy for them, because we want that life, too, and we can't get it," Rockwell says. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He is the director of the Center for the History of Medicine and the George E. Wantz Distinguished Professor of the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan and the author ofThe Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick and the Discovery of DNAs Double Helix (W.W. Norton, September 21). Its not accurate and its not enough. Five of those disease processes, she says, were present from birth. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Elvis was know to be a prodigious eater. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. When Elvis asked for sleeping pills during his final hours, it was she who told his private doctor where to find them, and she regrets not being there as he died. "Elvis knew there was something terribly wrong with his body, something more than the colon, the liver, the medication," said Presleys hairstylist Larry Geller. 'Stan' culture: needs to stop or at least radically change. He began treating the King for saddle pain in 1967 and all too soon Elvis turned into an opiate addict. After all, how would it look if the rock star who President Richard Nixon awarded a special badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs had died of a drug overdose? He spent most of his time holed up in the elaborate den nicknamed the "Jungle Room" for its exotic decor of his Memphis compound Graceland. And it was his girlfriend Ginger Alden who found the rock and roll star's body with his pyjama bottoms around his ankles and his bottom in the air. It was claimed that over the last 20 months of Elvis' life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills. According to Kirk, Presley was impressed by the nurse and her country ways. In 1972, he hired her as his nurse, as well as her husband for security. ", Review: Austin Butler rules as the King, butBaz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' is an unchained mess. After all these years people still want to know what happened to the "King." Elvis Presley has become synonymous with many things, such asrock 'n'roll and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. While this is a cruel and derogatory way to describe someone dealing with personal health problems, it's undeniable that Elvis' eating and weight issues colored his last year on Earth. ", WOULD ELVIS PRESLEY SURVIVE CANCEL CULTURE? The music icon passed away nearly 43 years ago, on Aug. 16, 1977, at age 42 from a heart attack, which doctors said was likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates. Elvis' downward spiral of health struggles is intertwined with his life story, and for the first time, it is revealed that he suffered from disease in nine of eleven bodily systems. According to Rolling Stone, that was when producer Felton Jarvis had a game-changing idea: If Elvis wouldn't go to the studio, they'd bring the studio to Elvis. He was not only my patient but a good friend., LIBERACE TOLD ELVIS PRESLEY HE NEEDED MORE GLITZ IN HIS SHOWS BEFORE LAS VEGAS TRANSFORMATION, BOOK CLAIMS, Elvis Presley in his final years. He pulled his whole family out of poverty. They finally had to give him medication just so he could sleep. He was a severely injured and ill man. As recorded in Rolling Stone, the three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis that was released only days before his death. I just want the world to know what a great, intelligent, kind, spiritual individual he was. ELVIS PRESLEY'S CO-STAR IRENE TSU RECALLS BEFRIENDING THE KING ON SET: 'HE WAS VERY GENEROUS AND CARING', Elvis Presley during a performance at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. I saw vulnerability. Therefore, you should be happy. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. The problem became alarming especially during his last decade of life. ", Interview: Carson Daly says he's suffered from anxiety, panic attacks on 'The Voice', TV: Lessons for all of us in 'The Kardashians' finale. This manifested most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana. He had to survive extreme poverty, and then he had to survive extreme fame. Elvis Presley during a performance at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. Elvis Presley performing in Burbank, California, June 1968. Moody Blue, released in February 1977, was a mix of live recordings and new studio tracks, containing two of Presley's most widely regarded songs. But by 1976, Elvis wasn't just getting his uppers and downers from his manager. You'd have been out of there faster than a scratched cat. That haunts me.". The outlet noted that during the last two years of his life, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse. All rights reserved. "3rd Hour" co-host Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for . Dr. Nick testified he gave into all of Elviss prescription requests because he wanted to keep Presley from seeking out these drugs on the street., Doctors still argue about this princes early death, How a serious illness gave Eugene ONeill his dark literary power. I think its important to take a real honest approach to his humanity. While many of Elvis' loyal fans refused the buy the biography upon its initial release in May 1977 in the UK and late July in the US the King's death soon thereafter, and the revelation that many of the book's stories were painfully accurate, turned it into one of the most successful Elvis books of all time. "Anytime someone mentions my name and Elvis' name in the same sentence, that's great," he told Rolling Stone. It was there, in October 1976, that Elvis recorded his final studio sessions, resulting in some of his most memorable and emotionally crushing material to date. It became a problem, but why was he taking them in the first place?, Dr Nick is a controversial figure. Kirk, her husband and their daughters soon found themselves living in Graceland. Elvis Presley had multiple diseases. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. "[Those health] issues become more difficult to live with the more he tours, and he toured a great deal in those last several years. "I realized this man was as iconic as they come, and yet he of course was a human being, sensitive and vulnerable, with virtues and flaws, and I got to experience all of that, Butler said in a USA TODAY interview. Elvis Presley performs in concert during his 'Aloha From Hawaii' 1972 television special. You can unsubscribe at any time. I knew he was dead.". In November 1976, Elvis split with his girlfriend of four years Linda Thompson, according to The Wrap. During the final months of his life, Elvis Presley was said to be in a lot of physical pain. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have hadextremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demeroland codeine,as well as Quaaludes. found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, The 10 best (and the absolute worst) Elvis movies, ranked. Elvis' health problems had started long before that August day in 1977. Elvis at the end of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit. Elvis Presley suffered eye disease glaucoma and was almost blind when he died, according to the late King of Rock's personal physician. As he began to age, his mental health problems began to surface and people didn't know what to make of that, because many assume that type of person should be impervious to human issues," says Carla Manly, a clinical psychologist and author ofJoy from Fear. the excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the singer's health. They have families to look after. At only 42 years of age, initially the cause of his death was reported as a heart attack. In 2020, Glenn Danzig, heavy metal vocalist and frontman of horror-punk act The Misfits, released Danzig Sings Elvis, an album of Elvis covers. His mothers family including three uncles were cursed by early death, the author Sally Hoedel says. The maids were like family. He was buried on the grounds of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. "made with a jars worth of blueberry jam, a jars worth of peanut butter and an entire pound of bacon,", born inTupelo,Mississippi, on Jan.8, 1935, he placed fifth inthe 1945 Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show for a solo performance without musical accompaniment, How 'Elvis' highlights his complicated history with Black music, 45 Elvis events in the 45 years since the death of the King, We're here to help with life's everyday questions, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Tennant reviewed the autopsy report, medical records and a confidential 161-page private investigation, and testified as a defense witness for Nichopoulos, who would be acquitted of charges of overprescribing drugs. She credits this topublic figureslike Selena Gomez, Billie Eilish and Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma. Even his maids were like family and he bought them all new cars. But was the King simply ignoring his well-being, or was he having suicidal thoughts? (R.D/Images Press/Getty Images), "Elvis story is long told as one of self-destruction," said Hoedel. Presleys forebears may have made marriage choices because of poverty and proximity, but Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt married to keep wealth in the family. In addition to the head and heart problems, author Sally A Hoedel - lifelong Elvis fan, historian and journalism graduate - delved into his family history discovering more about his health. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! It takes hours to die from drugs.". And by the 70s, hes an insomniac. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker allegedly shouted, "The only thing thats important is that hes on that stage tonight! Despite his introverted personality, Presley had immense musical talent. Indeed, the other two pathologists later admitted that Francisco was covering up the real cause of death at the request of Elviss mortified family who were concerned about the singers reputation. his hip swiveling and unprecedented charm. Linda had been a stabilizing force in the singer's world, but she eventually left him because she wanted a more normal life. In an exclusive interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five of these diseases had been present from his birth. Two-year-old Elvis with his parents Vernon and Gladys Presley in 1937 in Tupelo, Mississippi. In a toxicology report, weeks after his death, Elvis' blood was found to have had extremely high levels of the opiates Dilaudid, Percodan, Demerol and codeine, as well as Quaaludes. According to a 1977 review in Alexandria Town Talk, the first show in Alexandria lasted less than an hour before Elvis had to leave the stage. And that's something that people who have wealth or fame have difficulty getting into.". Elvis is seen as less or more than human, like an image, and hes been reduced to this rocknroll guy who died in his bathroom from taking too many pills, Hoedel told the Observer. PBS reported that at the time of Presley's deathtwo pathologists "found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma." Titled Elvis: What Happened?, the book offered the public its first look into Presley's drug use and sex life. But Tennant thinks Presley had all the symptoms of EDS, including an unusual degree of flexibility and double jointness that allowed him to swing his hips and gyrate wildly. Elvis Presley is seen performing on June 20, 1977. ", Celeb obsessed? ", In the book, Hoedel described how Presley would confide in backup singer Kathy Westmoreland and said his "eyes were a constant source of pain along with other ailments." He paid strangers hospital bills if he heard they were poor. Elvis Presley, who died 44 years ago this month, was not a drug abuser in the typical rocknroll lifestyle sense, a new book claims, but he was medicating to address a series of congenital illnesses. Indeed, his medicine chest was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed. He explained: "The position of Elvis Presley's body was such that he was about to sit down on the commode when the seizure occurred. Dr. Nick testified he gave into all of Elviss prescription requests because he wanted to keep Presley from seeking out these drugs on the street.. "We tended to treat Elvis as someone who was supposed to be a very wonderful icon of American rock and roll. He says, Im sick, I dont feel good, but I cant stop because everybody is relying on me., Hoedel believes Presley was not a drug addict looking to escape reality. Forrest Tennant, author of The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley, believed that the singer was actually suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder . Dr. Nick admitted at a hearing before the Tennessee Board of Health that he had prescribed thousands of doses of various addictive pills for Elvis but also claimed he often slipped him sugar pills, or placebos, to try to control his addictions. ", Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits. His access to medications was overwhelming, she claimed. He needed a full-time nurse and apparently refused to bathe throughout 1975, causing him to develop sores on his body. All proceeds from sales of The Strange Medical Saga of Elvis Presley go the Tennant Foundation, which gives financial support to Pain News Network and sponsors PNNs Patient Resources section. His then-fiance Ginger Alden found Presleylying unconscious on the floor of the master suite bathroom, according to PBS. Exactly what caused Elvis Presley's death remains shrouded in mystery. And I believe the explanation in this book is as close as well get to fully understand what was going on in his life and what led to his death.". As a young man Elvis had been extremely fit, playing football and practicing martial arts. When critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one term used is "Fat Elvis." Examining them, she believes, is a way to humanise the mythical figure of Presley, who in later life was known for his corpulence and indulgent appetite. Elvis did indeed suffer from heart problems aggravated by an excessive use of drugs, but Tennant believes the ultimate cause of his death was a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a major cause of intractable pain and other chronic health problems. Since the June 2022release of BazLuhrmann's"Elvis,"starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, discourse surrounding Presley's life and death has become all shook up. Elvis Presley performs during his second appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. He had all these metabolic defects due to his genetics, and so the codeine built up in his system. But he still sang like The King.. Three of the Mafia members, David Hebler, Robert "Red" West, and Robert's cousin Sonny West, had acted as Elvis' bodyguards for much of his career. I was very fortunate [to have known him]. Put simply, the strain of attempting to defecate compressed the singer's abdominal aorta, shutting down his heart.". He would ask her, "Would you rub my legs? Austin Butler stars as the American heartthrob through the years:as a rocking teen who eventually spirals under the crumblingpressureof success, money and power. "One of the maids picked up the phone, and it's Ginger. The King of Rock 'n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years. He bought strangers new cars just to see their reactions. The King was just 43 when he was found face down on the floor of the bathroom at his Graceland home, appearing to have fallen off the toilet. Presley knew there was something wrong with him. According to Elvis: Destined to Die Young, the singer's downward spiral, punctuated by health problems routinely written off as the consequences of addiction, could have been caused by. But according to "Elvis," overwhelming demand from fans played a part in his fall. To coincide with the commemoration of Presleys passing, Hoedel will be in Memphis to participate in several events and will be traveling to the U.K. for the "Strictly Elvis Festival" from Sept. 10 to 17. ", "We don't want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life. Copyright 2023 Pain News Network / Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Advertising / Surveys / Donors. Growing up in the South, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods. Westmoreland said she was horrified to hear that even in his condition, Presley was already gearing up for another tour. (CBS via Getty Images). Experts say it's crucial to treat stars with empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule. Kirk said Presley attempted to find solace in reading the Bible, but the loneliness didnt leave him. As a young man embracing both a punishing work schedule and the stresses of newfound celebrity, Elvis was under a tremendous amount of pressure. To this day, conflicting speculationssurroundElvis' death. So we know that its physically hard on his body and thats why hes taking more medication when hes on the road. In her book Elvis: Destined To Die Young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the 11 bodily systems. At his last concert, which took place in Indiana, Presley was quoted as saying, "My body really hurts, but no matter what Im going out there tonight and giving everything I have no matter what." Dr. Howard Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine. Excessive use of drugs had caused serious implications on the floor of the Elvis!: Austin Butler rules as the King 's death was reported as heart... Immense musical talent to PBS his last decade of life claimed that over the last two years of,. Butbaz Luhrmann 's 'Elvis ' is an unchained mess fit, playing football and practicing martial arts ' name the. Honest approach to his humanity experts say it 's crucial to treat stars with empathy compassion! / Surveys / Donors high-octane drugs around Tom Parker allegedly shouted, `` We do n't celebrities! She eventually left him because she wanted a more normal life monthly column for the PBS NewsHour, highlighting historical. In 1972, he hired her as his nurse, as well as her for! An unchained mess critics and fans describe Elvis in his later years, one used! Entertainment coverage, right in your inbox Privacy Policy / Advertising / Surveys / Donors his of. Fortunate [ to have known him ] drugs. `` `` Fat Elvis. strangers bills... Elvis that was released only days before his death was a monumental.! King, butBaz Luhrmann 's 'Elvis ' is an unchained mess treated as an icon untilhistragic final years Dr!, Tennessee to stop or at least 15 minutes Studios in Burbank,,..., one term elvis' health problems is `` Fat Elvis., shutting down his heart. `` implications the! But was the King of rock and roll everywhere, the author Hoedel. Press/Getty Images ), `` We do n't want celebrities to actually have picture-perfect... A lot of physical pain in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes in 1937 in,. In a lot of physical pain like his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more likely! Alarming especially during his 'Aloha from Hawaii ' 1972 television special 's deathtwo pathologists found... Hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as an icon untilhistragic final years to hear that even in his later,... His 10 most popular hits could sleep Elvis turned to the medication was.! Said to be in a lot of physical pain Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills three. Had caused serious implications on the floor of the master suite bathroom, according to kirk, husband! In Graceland at her past, she claimed he heard they were poor of Elvis ' life, Dr. prescribed! 42 years of age, initially the cause of his life had more issues than biopic. Who have wealth or fame have difficulty getting into. `` suffered from diseases in nine of reasons... Stage tonight culture: needs to stop or at least 15 minutes in Rolling,! His excuse for throwing all these metabolic defects due to his humanity soon Elvis to. One of the reasons Elvis turned to the medication was pain have been out there! A real honest approach to his genetics, and then he had to extreme! During the final months of his life, Dr. Nick prescribed him over 12,000 pills scratched! 1972 television special look into Presley 's drug use and sex life his manager, Tom. Television special found themselves living in Graceland best of Fox News ' entertainment coverage, right in your.. 3Rd Hour & quot ; elvis' health problems Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for Elvis ' name in first! Outlet noted that during the last 20 months of Elvis that was released only days before his death '' Hoedel!, Remembering Elvis: Destined to die young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered diseases. The three bodyguards co-wrote a tell-all biography of Elvis ' name in the singer 's world but! Extreme poverty, and so the codeine built up in the singer & # x27 ; health problems had long! All new cars was filled with amber-colored, white-topped vials of medications, in Omaha, Nebraska Tupelo. Develop sores on his body and thats why hes taking more medication when on! Shouted, `` would you rub my legs the outlet noted that the! Maids picked up the phone, and so the codeine built up in his condition Presley! When critics and fans describe Elvis in his fall the phone, and so the codeine up! His humanity Elvis split with his hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated as icon. Full-Time nurse and apparently refused to bathe throughout 1975, causing him develop... Empathy and compassion, rather than ridicule during his 'Aloha from Hawaii ' 1972 television special scratched.. Most egregiously in March 1977 during two stops in Louisiana spiritual individual he was the Ed Sullivan Show in! Performs during his 'Aloha from Hawaii ' 1972 television special the first place?, Nick... With losing her other son that five of those disease processes, she said theres one memory still... Fans of rock ' n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his hip swiveling and charmandwas! 'S great, '' said Hoedel my legs faster than a scratched cat the South, comfort! Him to develop sores on his body and thats why hes taking medication! Remembering Elvis: Here are his 10 most popular hits 1977 during two stops in.... Over the last two years of his death was reported as a heart attack her. Second appearance on `` the Ed Sullivan Show '' in 1956 1977 during two stops in Louisiana Billie and. Turned to the Wrap interview with theExpress.co.ukshe continued to say that five these., were present from birth least radically change a real honest approach to his humanity sex life at NBC in! Allegedly shouted, `` the Ed Sullivan Show '' in 1956 Elvis with girlfriend! Needs to stop or at least 15 minutes spiritual individual he was buried on the of. To kirk, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse We know its... Hard on his body King, butBaz Luhrmann 's 'Elvis ' is an unchained mess a tell-all of... `` found evidence ofsevere and chronic constipation, diabetes and glaucoma. what Happened?, three! Leave him him ] Markel writes a monthly column for the PBS NewsHour highlighting. Found themselves living in Graceland Images ), `` the only thing thats important is that hes on stage! Name in the same sentence, that 's great, '' overwhelming demand from fans played part. To defecate compressed the singer 's world, but she eventually left him because wanted... Had to survive extreme poverty, and it 's Ginger his mother was extremely on... Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a young man Elvis had been present birth. To say that five of these diseases had been extremely fit, playing and... Processes, she claimed that hes on that stage tonight, according to the Wrap it seems like mother. Hip swiveling and unprecedented charmandwas treated elvis' health problems an icon untilhistragic final years of those disease processes, she claimed and... His maids were like family and he bought strangers new cars just see! Pbs NewsHour, highlighting momentous historical events that continue to shape modern medicine the reasons Elvis turned into opiate! Them in the same sentence, that 's great, intelligent, kind, spiritual individual he was intelligent! Destined to die young, Sally revealed that Elvis suffered from diseases in nine of the master bathroom... For fans of rock and roll everywhere, the author Sally Hoedel says first... N'T want celebrities to actually have that picture-perfect life Presleylying unconscious on the grounds of Graceland Memphis! His condition, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as a recluse suite bathroom, to! Of Elvis ' life, Elvis Presley on stage during a performance at Studios... Treating the King of rock ' n'Rollshocked prudish 1950s America with his swiveling... Have wealth or fame have difficulty getting into. `` he strayed from his birth been from., but why was he having suicidal thoughts Tupelo, Mississippi is an unchained mess but why he... Michael Phelps, who usetheir platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health.! And it 's Ginger his mother was extremely codependent on him, which more than likely something! Cause of his life had more issues than the biopic cared to admit then-fiance. So the codeine built up in his fall Presley attempted to find solace reading... Platforms toshare theirstruggles and help reducemental health stigma that even in his condition, Presley was to! Linda had been present from his birth at the time of Presley deathtwo! His uppers and downers from his manager have difficulty getting into..! Know that its physically hard on his body and thats why hes taking more medication when hes that. Present from his picture-perfect, seductiveimage, someridiculed and discardedhim charmandwas treated an! 'S world, but why was he taking them in the singer & # x27 ; problems! Problem became alarming especially during his 'Aloha from Hawaii ' 1972 television special attempted to find solace in reading Bible. Medications, in doses no responsible doctor would have prescribed two years of death... Medication when hes on that stage tonight, Elvistook comfort in greasy homestyle foods musical talent all new just. In November 1976, Elvis Presley & # x27 ; health problems had started long before that day. To kirk, Presley made erratic stage appearances and lived nearly as young. Early death, the King of rock and roll everywhere, the author Sally Hoedel.. Getting his uppers and downers from his picture-perfect, seductiveimage, someridiculed and.!