Product Description

In this unique and intimate volume, Sonny West, Elvis Presley's close friend and bodyguard for nearly two decades, provides a no-holds barred, first-hand depiction of "The King." "Elvis" is packed with previously unseen photographs and untold stories about Presley's personal and public life - learn why he refused the not-so-subtle advances of Ursula Andress on the set of "Fun in Acapulco", uncover amazing personal details from Presley's historic meeting with the Beatles, and discover the secrets behind the King's famous handshake with Richard Nixon in 1970. This will become a treasured addition to the collections of Elvis fans everywhere.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327541 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Customer Reviews

Taking Care of 'Elvis: What Happened?'
This book comes out at a time when the market is saturated with Elvis Product due to the 30th Anniversary of his death. I suppose EPE already played one of their 'Ace' cards in having former 'Memphis Mafia' friend and colleague, Jerry Schilling release his book into the Elvis World somewhat before Sonny West released "Still Taking Care of Business"...maybe they thought that Sonny's story was going to turn out as another 'bitter-tasting' story of a revenge-of-sorts.

Nevertheless, Mr Sonny West does Elvis a little more proud than he did first time around with his collaboration in the controversial 1977 best-seller "Elvis - What Happened?" (co-written with his equally bitter cousin Red West and buddy Dave Hebler along with 'Sensationalistic Drama Queen' reporter, Steve Dunleavy). The story goes that Sonny, Red and Dave were fired from the Elvis entourage back in the summer of 1976 due to a cut-back in expenses as told to them by Elvis' Daddy, Vernon. Elvis was out of town when each were hit with this news. So, obviously, it was a mighty shocker for Sonny (employed by Elvis for 16 years), Red (employed by Elvis for at least 21 years) and Dave (employed by Elvis for only 3 years) to be given this short notice and 1 week's pay, and Elvis was nowhere to be had. The end result of this situation was always going to be "Elvis - What Happened?" naturally because the guys were teed-off with how IT happened, plus they needed to pay the rent money. However, rent money aside, let us not forget the fact that the guy's did love EP as a brother so maybe the other motive of 'writing the book to make Elvis aware of what he was doing to himself...and the people around him...' still holds as a possible sincere afterthought - after the thought of getting that damn rent paid, maybe...

However, Sonny West does genuinely come across as a straight-talking type of guy who also liked to play and work hard for Elvis. Thirty years on you could say that this effort from Sonny - his attempt at redressing the balance with his first attempt all those years ago - is probably the closest that we'll ever get to the truth about the more bizarre and so-called shocking times that were dramatically sensationalized in "Elvis - What Happened?" You will laugh and cry throughout and feel a great amount of sadness towards the end of the book as Elvis embarks on the downward spiral that led to his untimely passing.

I think you can see Sonny's perspective a little more clearly in this book and you do get to read familiar stories that aren't marred by tales of sensationalism. There are plenty of stories in the book thay you won't be familiar with too. If you want to discover the very human-side of 'The King of Rock 'n' Roll' and what he was really like to work for and live with throughout the various ups and downs of his 23-year period of Superstardom, then "Still Taking Care of Business" would be a good place to start.

It's a welcome addition...or a welcome apology, as the case maybe...to your Elvis book collection that doesn't necessarily leave a bitter taste this second time around.

An absolute must
A great easy to read, unable to put down book. It will make you cry, get angry and laugh. It gives you a good insight not only into Mr Presley's life but Sonny's life too. You can feel, if not, read, the love oozing between the lines and flowing off the pages. Extremely well written. Just a shame it has taken so long to be written. Fans should now put the ' What Happened ' book firmly in the past where it belongs, this new publication is the true Sonny West that countless know and love.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder ?
I had a problem with this book, I have read many Elvis books over the years including "What Happened" and I think that maybe the problem. I think this book would have been more enjoyable if I hadn't read "What Happened" It has obviously many of the same stories but after 30 years the telling comes across a little differently. I understand that time is a healer but to me this book comes over as almost an apology. I just didn't get it.