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Marty Lacker About GK's Book

By Marty Lacker, January 09, 2010 | Book

Speaking of books and some of the fiction that has been written in regards to Elvis and his world, I was just sent an excerpt from George Klein's book by a fan in Ireland that was on the Fox News' Fox &friends website and in all my years I have never heard such outright lies. Basically what George has done has taken part of my description of the night I talked Elvis into recording at American Studios in January, '69 and replaced me with himself plus some unbelievable and totally untrue embellishments. He has even conveniently added a couple of dead people to the scene who cannot contradict him by saying Tom Diskin and Freddy Bienstock was at the Graceland dining room table when he said he told Elvis about Chips Moman and got him to record there. Diskin and Bienstock were not there.

He also said Priscilla and Esposito were at the table and they weren't and he completely leaves out the part that I had talked to Elvis about it in what is known as the Jungle Room before everyone went into the dining room, in which he was silently present along with Sonny,Lamar and Felton Jarvis. He even put himself sitting next to Elvis at the table when it was actually me sitting there after I called Chips at home and talked to him about recording Elvis with Felton standing next to me.

Sadly what Klein forgets that there were witnesses to the whole event who will further make him a liar. If this is a sample of what is in his book, I suggest that if you really want to waste your money on it,look for it in the Fiction section of your favorite bookstore. My complete description of that entire night was written years ago in my two books, Elvis:Portrait Of A Friend and ELVIS AARON PRESLEY: Revelations From the Memphis Mafia and anyone who is familiar with both books will see that my recollection is word for word in both books. I am fortunate to have what is known as a photographic memory, not only do I remember the words spoken at the same time I am experiencing a pictorial rerun in my mind while I'm telling the story. I remember conversations word for word as well as who is present and where they are standing or sitting. I have no need to make things up to make myself feel better. I am just happy and proud that I was a close longtime friend of Elvis' and we both shared each others lives with the other original MM. I'm equally as proud to have had the opportunity to do things for him that made his life and career more enjoyable for him and better. I'm also happy that he was aware of things I did and was very verbally appreciative of it.

How sad and miserable George's life must be that he has to constantly lie about things. It's a shame he can't be happy just to have been a good friend of Elvis' instead of coming up with the lies to either make the fans or himself look and feel better about him.

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Steve V wrote on January 09, 2010
You know what? I believe Marty on this 100%.
livingstonsn wrote on January 09, 2010
Personally, I'm not going to believe Marty just because he's Marty. Admittedly, I haven't read Marty's or George's books, but I'm going to be very skeptical of anything that comes from the pen of any of Elvis's little group of enablers. Marty and his ilk have been milking the memory of Elvis for all that it's worth for decades, so I'm just going to take anything he says with a grain of salt.
dannyboy1 wrote on January 09, 2010
I trust Marty more than GK. But I think Marty's mistaken if he thinks he has 100% memory. The thing in his favour is that he put it in print decades ago. I think probably Marty suggested Chips and American to Elvis and GK said "yeah, that's a good idea" but now sees his part as being the main one. But I don't have the books on hand to actually compare the texts.
Dixieland Rocks wrote on January 09, 2010
I plan on getting GK's book, but haven't as of yet. Everything that is written about Elvis I take with a grain a salt. The only one who can tell us who is a liar has been dead for 33 years this August. Who made Marty the end all, be all expert on Elvis anyway!!
Antjie wrote on January 10, 2010
I must say I believe Marty on this one as well. I was disappointed in an excerpt from the book that I came accross on another site. I don't know what I have expected from GK ... maybe less dirt and sensation? Silly me.
JerryNodak wrote on January 10, 2010
I haven't bought an Elvis book in years. If memory serves the last one I bought was written/co-written by Ernst J. I wish he'd update that one. As for the rest I'm not interested. I am looking forward to Ernst's long promised SUN book/CD combo.
JeffSchrembs wrote on January 10, 2010
pleaase excuase any typingerrors asi am recoverningfrom accident and cant use handswell. i can say thatif martylacker says thattt it did nothappen thatway and he waws in the room then it did not happen.marty lacker is as honest a man asyou will everr findin thisworld.he isan asset to elvis presley fans everywshhere and he only speaks out when the need arises. i have the utmost respect for him and how he conductshimself. sometimes people tryto give themselves credit about elvis due to theirown egos or their faulty memory so i cant say why georgeklein put thisin his book. george has so manyother stories and relatinonship with elvis and he needs to focus on those aspectsand not aspects where he wasnot instrumental. thank you again martylacker for sharing your thoughts will all of us and for everything that you do for elvisfans worldwide. another great forum from elvisnews.com. takecare and godbless jeffschrembs
Natha wrote on January 10, 2010
I have stopped buying this kind of books a long time ago. The reason for that is that I feel that the authors are all quoting from personal memories and there is no doubt in them having impaired memories (like most humans have) in a selective way, serving their personal agenda. I have a distinct impression that the main reason is to earn money and a sensational read sells better. A true friend will never stab you in the back, not even if you want the truth to be known. The book that was published around the time of Elvis' death is one of them qualifying as stabbing. And it never stopped. We all know Elvis was no saint. He had his flaws like we all have. I don't find any joy in reading juicy details of other peoples flaws (especially when these details are inaccurate, exagerated or untrue). I have my hands full on my own life. Moreover it is his music that is important. Hence my earlier statement: scavengers.
old shep wrote on January 10, 2010
Pretty strong words to put to paper, if Marty is correct in all he said about GK's book then GK has gone down somewhat in my estimation of him. If Marty's comments are sour grapes and also a pack of lies he risked being sued!
MJB63 wrote on January 10, 2010
I still have more respect for GK and Jerry Schilling than i do for the Marty Lacker and lamar Fikes of the world.GK and Jerry made a living outside of Elvis,Marty and Lamar waited for paychecks from there boss Elvis ,and when his death came where one the first to write books about him.How sad are they?
davrid wrote on January 10, 2010
I've had several run-ins with Marty lacker over the years - including him once threatening to have been beaten up by a certain one-eyed septuagenarian karate expert! I have no time whatsoever for how he's eked a living peddling crap about Elvis, however it is well known that he had links to the American Studios and Chips Moman - I believe he even produced some records there for Rita Coolidge - and suggested to Elvis many times to record there. So in this instance I would take his version over Gk's.
davrid wrote on January 10, 2010
should have said 'to have me beaten up...'!!!
I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on January 11, 2010
If anyone's books belong in the "Fiction" section of your local bookshop it is certainly Marty Lacker! Don't waste your money on his books.
ttwiise wrote on January 12, 2010
I'll only listen to Red or Lamar and maybe Sonny the rest I have no time for
tigerpawl wrote on January 13, 2010
This is so childish to argue over who was there and who was not. And taking credit for Elvis recording at American with Chips Moman. Maybe both Marty and George talked to Elvis in separate places about recording at American. Word for Word Marty maybe that should be the title of your next book. I am 47 yoa and cant remember what people said or I said a week ago. I might be able to paraphrase what was said. Grown men acting childish.
MickeyN wrote on January 13, 2010
Sorry, but most all of these Memphis Mafia members and (to an extent) Priscilla make me sick. Sure Elvis loved them, and so they can't get ignored completely. However, the way that they fall over themselves to fill their wallets through "revelations" and "deeply personal memories" - usually scandalous or salacious (because they sell more) just irritates the hell out of me. Priscilla revealing stuff about their sex lives in "Elvis and Me" to "put the record straight" for Lisa Marie!! What a tawdry hanger-on. Sonny and Red West and Dave Hebler writing "Elvis What Happened?" to warn Elvis to mend his ways and not for fat profit - don't make me laugh! George Klein - best friend? Pull the other one! I love Elvis fans (like we have on this site) because they are optimistic, generous in spirit and realise that, although Elvis was human and therefore flawed, the only harm he ever did was to himself and they just want to celebrate the great things the man did and achieved. EPE, Priscilla and the other grubby profiteers should be ashamed of themselves.
tk10 wrote on January 27, 2010
Full View re elvis-express show comments .. For what its worth I saw Chips and George Klein on several occasions playing the Elvis tapes in the ARS control room from the night before a lot more than I did Marty and Chips. He was home probly counting his piggy bank twice! LOL Besides even if it had been him to most persuade Elvis into recording at ARS in Jan 69 and not Mr. Klein it must realy bite him in the butt this many yrs later to hear someone else take the credit. I can relate to that but still no excuse for Martys sloppy paperwork concerning the songs published then and deserved writer-credits!
Mystery Rider wrote on January 28, 2010
George has the Gift of Gab true or Un True he has a Job for Life selling Elvis Presley
Cher wrote on February 01, 2010
What MickeyN said. I own over 2 dozen Elvis books including but not yet read the GK edition. Of all of them, the ones NOT written by the Mafia lackeys or the phoney grieving widow are the ones I enjoy the most and believe the most. Elaine Dundy's Elvis and Gladys...great book. Jerry Hopkins and Peter Guralnick..both great biography books...even Scotty Moore's That's Alright, Elvis is a pretty good read. The rest? Best read with a very large grain of salt.
dunking wrote on February 21, 2010
so what - get over it - the main thing is Elvis recorded that fabulous album we all love and treasure ! Baby you're wearin that loved on look ! All the best George !