With a foreword by Joe Esposito, Elvis's close friend and road manager, and 32 pages of photographs
From the author:
Back in the 1970s, Las Vegas was a playground, not only for the rich and famous, but for anyone with big dreams. Beneath its public glamour and glitz was the private monarchy of Elvis Presley. Most people could only imagine what it was like to be a part of Elvis's world back then, but I lived it. I have written this book without bias or self-proclamation so that I may share the story of what was with those of you who loved him then and those of you who still love and respect him today.
Joe Esposito was Elvis's road manager as well as the boss of Presley's entourage, the Memphis Mafia, and I was a Memphis Mafia Princess. My job was to keep Joe happy, while living the fairytale lifestyle that surrounded Elvis. It was also my job to befriend the women that Elvis brought with him on tour and to make them feel comfortable in a new environment. I would also keep them company if Elvis wanted to speak privately with Joe or with any of the other Memphis Mafia members.
As the women arrived and left through Elvis's revolving door, I would get to know each one of them personally. I learned which ones were permanent and which ones were not. I kept silent, because my first loyalty was always to Elvis. Because of that loyalty, I was always allowed on all of Elvis's tours, while many Memphis Mafia wives and girlfriends were rotated and hidden from one another.
I was also entrusted with rare access to Elvis's world, and I will always be grateful for the magical years that I was able to spend as a Memphis Mafia Princess.
I am pleased, now, to be able to share some of my special memories of those wonderful years with all of you. I hope you enjoy them.
Special note:
I had never considered writing about the years I had spent with Elvis and the Memphis Mafia, but when I awoke one morning I had an overwhelming desire to write this book. I felt that having only known Elvis for a few short years was so little time, but I realize now that what was only a short time for me was a lifetime of memories for those who had never met him.
I am overwhelmed by the kindness that Elvis fans have shown to me over the years. I understand now more than ever why Elvis loved all of you so very much. He may not have known your name, and he may have never heard your voice, but he always knew that you were there for him. When he awoke in the morning, he felt content, and when he laid his head down at night, he felt gratification, because he knew that his fans loved him. He never would turn away from you, because he knew that you would never turn away from him. You could feel his love and he could feel yours. You knew it. And Elvis knew it. This is what made him special and this is what makes you special. I, for one, now understand that.
This is the story of what was, a story that is real, a life that was so unimaginable that it took profound meditation and deep thought to relive those years with Elvis, to bring them back to life, and to transform them onto the pages of this book. As I share my memories of those last years with Elvis with you, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Even though they may only be but a glimpse in time, those magical years left me with a lifetime of treasured memories.
