Sonny West's And Other Book News

He can keep them

Cant believe people still knock Sonny. I have met him and he is a top bloke. The book Elvis: What happened was published before anyone knew Elvis was gonna pass away. Elvis was untouchable and no one could have stopped what happened. If they got too involved in his private life they would have been fired which is was happened. All the fans who knock Sonny have no idea what it was like to be that close to Elvis so stop knocking Sonny. I will buy any book Sonny brings out. Him and Red are top blokes.

I agree with Sean Ryan - the only person responsible for E's death is himself. Maybe Sonny and the rest did 'sell out' by writing 'that' book, but from where i stand they told it as it was. He was there for a big chunk of Elvis' life so has a story to tell. Get over it folks!

i will be buying the book too, i thought ELVIS WHAT HAPPEND was a really good book.

jeanette i agree with you. i think people who knock 'elvis-what happened?' haven't read it. well practically everything in it is common knowledge now! at the time it was full of shocking revelations. sure some of it is b.s (mainly stuff by dave hebler) but reds and sonnys contributions were very moving at some points. i've met sonny and his wife too and they were really nice people who had some funny 'elvis' stories to tell!

I agree. When Elvis What Happened came out Red and Sonny were hurt and I can understand why they wrote it. Yes, some of it was distorted, I'd be likely to blame Hebler for that more than Sonny and Red. I've heard them both talk about Elvis, and they've had all good things to say about Elvis. They seem like good guys.

it upsets me that so called fans still say bad things about them but if they were to meet them they wouldnt say nothing. it angers me that fans still hold a gudge against them when they really dont seem to know nothing about what life was like with elvis and still look for someone to blame.

well whats left to say I met Red West he was very pleasant and very straight to the point on certain issues doesnt regret the book . When I watch 'all the kings men' it moves me still Red's and Sonny's contribution was very revealing.

If they are so great why don't some of you start a sonny and red west fan site. These great guys I am sure everything they said in the book was inspired by their tender hearts to help Elvis. It is really ironic though that they watched all this terrible stuff happen and went thru the hell day and night you know driving Elvis's Cadillacs, having sex with the groupies, meeting the president and a million other things. How strange when ever they were taking pills and things with Elvis it was great no problems. Then they get fired and Elvis's father Vernon does and gives them something different than what he was told to do. Elvis said give them enough money to live on for 2-3 month's and tell them they will be hired back soon. If vernon would have done this there would not have been no damn book. He gave them one weeks pay and said we have to cut back on expenses. So they are pissed off and approached by some tabloid writer and they think well we will make a you know what load of money and we will get him back for firing us. But you know getting him back and the money they wasnt interested in none of that they wanted to help him they tell this painful story to hel Elvis and I bet they didnt get hardly any money I bet they donated it to charity. You know like that old evil Elvis did his whole life , who we want only to help nothing more. When Elvis died and their book sells went to millions of copies and book stores sold out of the books I wonder was they to sad or mourning to deposit the check in to the bank, some how I bet they found the strength to stand up walk in there and make that deposit. I don't know where they found the strength. I admire them so much for their sake since Elvis is dead and they can't help him now, my contribution will be not to buy one damn thing they are involved in, but continue to be one of the biggest fans of a great generous man The king and all time greatest vocalist of all time Elvis Aron Presley Long live the King and his memory. Christopher Hattaway Columbus GA

I met Sonny West in Memphis last August, and just as I expected, he is a bag of sh*t. Still defending his poor self, still describing Elvis as a junkie, and - O YES! - he would still write the very same book if he could turn back time. Regrets? Not one. I challanged S. West after I had listened to his story (about 15 people where there, no more) and I asked him how he found it in his heart to betray a "friend" (at least a 'friend' is what S. West thought he was to Elvis - some friend!) and destroy his reputation. Fact is: Elvis Presley died the same month the book was released and, no sir, Mr. West does NOT think he is to blame. His pathetic excuse: "I tried to save him" - SAVE HIM? My a**. Sonny West was there for the money and the pleasure of bitter revenge - and he STILL doesn't care less. At least his cousin has some sense, and he apologized. So, "you" tried to save him, sunshine. Allrighty. Where's your degree in psychology, West? How can YOU decide what's best for someone who you're not even worthy to kiss his shoes? How did you ever think in your corrupted mind that you would know what to do for the World's Number One entertainer? And then, loosing the verbal battle we had, you did the two things I expected: you shouted (well you had the mike anyway) and you asked me: what would I do if my son or brother would be an addict. Would I look the other way - or take him in? Well, West, what I would never do is throw their private life on the street or publish gossip books with the sleasiest details like you did - with the biggest grin you can imagine. Don't gimme the sh*it stories of "I was there to help". Just tell us the plain truth: you were there for the money, and you betrayed Elvis because in your 50 IQ mind you figured it was payback time. You're not the first, Sonny, Judas paved the way, you're in good company. Well, West Boy, and I know that you read this - as long as I have something to say about it, you will never (as in: Not Ever) be a guest at any Elvis convention in Belgium. And I hope that none of my colleagues-fanclub presidents will invite you. If neccessary, I'll start a campaign to keep you FAR away from here. I had hoped that time would heal the wounds, and that at least you would have smoothened up, but the reality is: you're still as agressive and dangerous as ever. Remember Beecher Smith, Elvis's lawyer? He compared you with a cockroach. Thought that was very mildy put. - Peter

Well, Peter, I was also there the night you heckled Sonny. He never yelled at you and he answered your questions as a gentlemen. You have an imaginative and slective memory. You were rude and disruptive and the audience (more than 15) applauded Sonny's response to you. You never answered his question and he asked you several times. After Sonny left the stage you never approached him. As I, along with several others, stood by his table after the show, you slunk away, never even giving a glance to Sonny. Your accusations are way off base. Sonny is a great man and was a good friend to Elvis. He and Red tried very hard to get help for Elvis. They actually put their own lives on hold to take care of Elvis. I was there and I saw first hand the things they did for him, and when they prayed for hiim. You don't know Sonny West at all. If you had so much to say to him, why didn't you continue your conversation with him after his show? He is a very intelligent and articulate man. Sorry you are too biased to see it. As for any of the guys being there "for the money" - you obviously don't know what their salaries were or how far they had to stretch to support a family. The new book will be an asset to any fan's library, shariang intimate stories and giving a glimpse into Sonny's life as well. I am sorry that you didn't give him the opportunity to talk with you; he's not the monster you portray. I am also president of a fan club and my members would welcome him to any event we have. You missed a great opportunity to get to know the man you harrassed.