They said what?...Commentaries

Distant family members knew and loved Elvis as much as his close relatives. Not all distant kin were found spending days at Graceland for many lived a good distance away and were not able to enjoy such rare and unique pleasures outside of their own home lives. Still, Elvis somehow found kinfolk across the miles and kept in touch on a regular basis with quite a few of them, when time allowed. Others did spend time at Graceland, and with Elvis in person. While some kin can gladly share stories with you, unfortunately, there are those among the close relatives who feel the need to detract and to disprove others' claims to kinship. For many of us 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 a frenzy and hysteria which still continues to this day! No, Pastor Bob 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.

Online Psychic/Mediums

...please refrain from attempting to "contact" and from saying you have "contacted" both Elvis and Lisa Marie. It is not appropriate to the memory of either one, nor is it acceptable to God. Please let their souls be at peace.

Pastor Bob Joyce is NOT Elvis!

Please stop spreading these rumors! Pastor Joyce was born in 1952. Elvis was born in 1935. Do the math.

A Movie About Priscilla? ...WHY?

Seriously? Everything Priscilla is and has done, the empire she has created, was all based upon the blood, sweat and tears of Elvis Presley. Without Elvis Priscilla would have been unknown to the world. Those of us 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 the real person 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? NO! 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 is mostly unwarranted, 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, of how his life was not his own, and there is much to tell there.

Ginger Alden vs. Priscilla Presley

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 he did want Priscilla back, but that idea fizzled after awhile, though 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. He wanted a quiet life, away from the glitter and fame. He was tired and, unwell. He did love "Gingerbread," as he affectionately called her, but he did begin to have second thoughts on marriage, possibly because of his health. Regardless, Elvis never would have gone back to Priscilla. His plan was to move on with his life, though, sadly, it didn't turn out for him as he would have liked.

Prince Harry

The Kin of Rock and Roll responds to Prince Harry's insulting claim that 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, Prince, 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 hideous 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 and centered around He lived comfortably but not excessively or elegantly. 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.

Suzanne Presley

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 if 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 this 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" when, in actuality, they would have been step family. Vernon knew very well how 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 the story so as not to interfere with Elvis' success. Mackey waited until the deaths of both Elvis and Vernon before telling the true story 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 for many years.

Elvis- the Biopic Starring Austin Butler

Looking forward to this movie which is already seeing rave reviews before it's opening day. From clips already seen, the film looks to be an amazing depiction of the life and times of Elvis Presley. From the clips I have seen, Austin Butler is a gem, and the nearest to Elvis personified. This fellow came around at a time when Lisa Marie needed to feel the presence of her father in some form. For Lisa Marie, a man young enough to be a son and with the likeness enough to portray her father, may create a lasting bond, helping her through the two great crisis' of her life. God Bless Lisa Marie.

AFTERWORD: the movie is amazing, and Austin Butler's performance is riveting! He does not look at all like Elvis, but his voice, his movements, his laugh, it's all there! Thumbs up for Austin! Elvis would have admired Austin, as in agreement with the Presleys.

Jon Cotner(s) Has Claimed for years to be Elvis

The Kin of Rock and Roll members have followed "Jon Cotner" for many years. From what we have learned, there are several men involved in this scheme, each portraying one man with a ficticious name and 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, and you know what we mean.

Deborah Presley Brando

Deborah Presley Brando claims to be Elvis' daughter but we have 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 doesn't lie.

Eliza Presley

The Kin of Rock and Roll has debunked the myth that Eliza Presley, the self-proclaimed "illegitimate daughter of Vernon Presley" used false DNA to prove her kinship to Elvis, as Elvis' sister. The DNA used was hair from a comb belonging to Donna Pritchett Presley, a 1st cousin of Elvis.

Jerry Presley

The Elvis impersonator, Jerry Presley, who has made a minimal career trying to be Elvis, furthering this by pretending to be a "second cousin" of Elvis. Jerry is, in fact, a distant Presley cousin, not a second cousin, and The Kin of Rock and Roll had discovered a scam perpetrated by Jerry Presley; having himself inserted into the original printing of "The Roots of Elvis" by promoting his false and cunning claim.