Idols should be seen and not heard within private earshot.

Imagine the biggest name in show business tells the world that their success never had a chance without the admiration and influence they cherished toward you, but your fading in the limelight, heading for the dreaded description as a has-been, yet the top of charts British Invasion entertainers still can’t wait to meet you while conquering America in 1964.

Today marks the 51^st anniversary our adored Beatles met their beloved idol, Elvis Presley, on their 2nd American tour in 1965. Earlier that day, the lads had attended a recording session of “She Don’t Care About Time “at Columbia studios featuring their favorite America group, the Byrds. I’m guessing the soundtrack invitation blossomed 48 hours’ prior during a shared LSD party with David Crosby and Peter Fonda at the mansion Epstein rented, owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor. Most of the day a quibble between the King and Fab Four ricocheted over who would come to who and neither wanted a face off away from their own protected surroundings. The Beatles, in fact, snubbed the whole idea if the press were to use the event as a publicity stunt. Finally, an agreement between Colonel Parker and Brian Epstein came to light that included no media or interviews, no pictures, posed or candid, and no recordings, no matter what evolved throughout their encounter.

After all the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed, the Mop-Tops joined a parade of chauffeured limousines that arrived just before 10 pm for transport at the boys rented home. Parker lead the way through the winding streets of Bel Air and security grew to intensive measures dawned only by those who were part of the Memphis Mafia. No, I don’t mean hitmen, loan sharks, bootleggers, or southern syndicate crime boss men––I’m talking about Presley’s bodyguards.

So, there they were, the two greatest Rock and Roll artists of all time, ready to receive each other for their first meet and greet introduction.  One man, aloof, acting unimpressed, but still the idol of four other pop superstars, nervous, anxious, and curious. The younger quartet on top of the world, and an aging Mr. Swivel Hips who hadn’t add a #1 hit (Good Luck Charm) since 1962.  Yes, the prediction boasted by the Beatles manager, “My boys are going to be bigger than Elvis Presley”, had grown as a full-fledged unquestionable truth, and Mr. Sideburns knew it. Lennon didn’t help matters to console a dethroned living legend when he half-joked, but also dead serious with his first question to the farm boy turned mega celebrity, “What happened to the old Rock-n-Roll Elvis, why are you recording such rubbish in your films? That jab pretty much drew in a sullen atmosphere the rest of the evening. Later, John expressed in vast disappointment, “meeting Elvis was about as exciting as meeting Englebert Humperdinck.” That comment alone proves my point, fans are better off left at a distance than to fall victim and hear their perfect idol speak out what really is on their mind or act out what really is believed their over indulged assumed privilege.    

My new novel has a scene that includes a brief account of this night. I hope each of you enjoys the crime mystery. Please leave a comment on any of my posts, and be assured, I appreciate every review you share on Amazon.com in connection to my book, Beatlemaniac.