Elvis´ Love For My Dying Child (1972 article)

[The fool]

Elvis´ Love For My Dying Child
Mrs. Trudi Sanchez
as told to Rose Perlberg
Photoplay, August 1972

[The fool]

And the last page...

[HoneyTalkNelson]

That was beautiful, thank you for sharing!

[HoneyTalkNelson]

..

..

[rjm]

Thanks for the article, and also thanks to Bob for the video!

Just wonderful. Very sad about her illness, but Elvis was wonderful.

rjm

Sent via mobile

[Rocker]

Thanks The fool!

Is the version of "You gave me a mountain" (or even the whole show) out on bootleg?

[MaryAnn]

Thank you so much for posting this for us, The fool. It was a lovely, if sad, read.

I came across this related article from the Beaver County (Pa.) Times dated Monday, September 26, 1977. The article ("Institution passes away too quickly") is written by reporter Grace Marie Prather. While working as a reporter in Albuquerque, Ms. Prather was instrumental in setting up the meeting between the Sanchez's and Elvis. These are her reflections on that meeting -- just after Elvis' death. I thought it might be of interest.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YRwvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2doFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1124%2C5253793

[The fool]

Thank you, MaryAnn, for this wonderful article!

[jon_burrows]

Thank you, The fool, that was heart-wrenching.

[Lexie1973]

Wow, to say it in Elvis' words: emotional s.o.b.
Does anyone know how it went on with the girl?

[The fool]

She passed away in 1973.

[Lexie1973]

She passed away in 1973.

Actually, August 26 1972.

Jeez.... Just 4 months later....unbelievable.

[Mister Moon]

Thanks, The fool, for yet another interesting article. I had seen one part of the video but I didn't know about the whole story.

Also, thanks HoneyTalkNelson and MaryAnn for your valuable additions to the thread.

[HoneyTalkNelson]

The Colonel deserves credit for making it happen.

[jurasic1968]

Wonderful and tragic article. Thanks for posting that. Elvis was so human and kind.

[Jim Dandy]

Thanks for posting this article. It's been some time since I watched that footage. It's quite a unique vision to see Elvis in this situation (like the Monique Brave footage, as far as footage goes, despite the circumstances being different).
It's quite touching and great to see the rapport Elvis quickly builds with Denise and others. I love that part when she says thankyou, and Elvis' response.
I wonder if the clip of Sonny is from 19 April? I imagine Elvis might have been following just behind him heading for the stage, or somewhere.
Anyway, an enthralling read and vision, and as yet no personal attacks. Touch wood.


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[promiseland]

Such a touching and heartbreaking topic.
Parker was a good hearted man deep down.
Elvis was a gift to so many...

[mike edwards66]

Parker was a good hearted man deep down.

Agreed. Both of the major books about the Colonel's life contain testament to that fact. Now, as for the matter at hand, this story does present something of a dilemma for those of us who admire Elvis Presley.

On the one hand, there were mitagating circumstances. It was a cramped space, full of cameras, Elvis did have a show to perform and it was the final show of the tour. But, on the other hand, Elvis was, at best, somewhat cold.

Having pondered this, I believe, that Elvis was simply at a loss, of how best to behave in that situation. And so he floundered a little.

[drjohncarpenter]

The story of Denise Sanchez and her visit with Elvis in April 1972 is but one of countless moments where his generosity of spirit and kindness are so very apparent. Major stars often have these kind of backstage experiences but, somehow, the ones we know about with Presley seem even more special. And it makes one wonder how some can write viciously about Elvis, like discredited biographer Albert Goldman, when there are so many, many examples of the good things he did in his short life.

Thanks to The fool for finding and posting this first-person account by Denise's mother, Trudi Sanchez.

[rjm]

The story of Denise Sanchez and her visit with Elvis in April 1972 is but one of countless moments where his generosity of spirit and kindness are so very apparent. Major stars often have these kind of backstage experiences but, somehow, the ones we know about with Presley seem even more special. And it makes one wonder how some can write viciously about Elvis, like discredited biographer Albert Goldman, when there are so many, many examples of the good things he did in his short life.

Thanks to The fool for finding and posting this first-person account by Denise's mother, Trudi Sanchez.

Thanks for the topic revival. And yes, other stars do these things, and it's wonderful and often deeply heartfelt. But Elvis' extreme sensitivity and personal history of family tragedies somehow adds a genuine gravitas to these events, and to the longer term relationships he had with physically challenged people like Gary Pepper, or his immediate instinct to reach out to an old friend in deep trouble, as when Jackie Wilson had his circulatory collapse on stage, and was comatose at just 41.

I wish people could try to remember these things. And to remember all the times he helped us with his art, when nothing and no one else could help get us through.

rjm
P.S. -- He said "she's shy." I don't see that; he was shy. He knew she very ill, and it can be difficult to know exactly what you should say, and what you shouldn't. I know the feeling.

[mike edwards66]

The story of Denise Sanchez and her visit with Elvis in April 1972 is but one of countless moments where his generosity of spirit and kindness are so very apparent.

P.S. -- He said "she's shy." I don't see that; he was shy. He knew she very ill, and it can be difficult to know exactly what you should say, and what you shouldn't. I know the feeling.

We are, basically, in agreement.

Having pondered this, I believe, that Elvis was simply at a loss, of how best to behave in that situation. And so he floundered a little.

Elvis undoubtedly did possess generosity of spirit and kindness. However, on this occasion, when faced with a difficult and delicate situation, he was, from what we can see, a little unsure of how best to express those attributes. No shame in that.

[drjohncarpenter]

Elvis undoubtedly did possess generosity of spirit and kindness. However, on this occasion, when faced with a difficult and delicate situation, he was, from what we can see, a little unsure of how best to express those attributes. No shame in that.

Judging by Trudi Sanchez's memory a week after the meeting with her daughter, not to mention the 1977 article by reporter Grace Marie Prather who was also there, Elvis not only met, but exceeded, all expectations with young Denise and her mom. And his concert song dedication brought tears to their eyes.

One imagines the joy of that experience stayed with her until the very end.

[AndrewJ]

A touching story - one that shows Elvis' true generosity of spirit. What a man!

[DEH]

it also shows that The Colonel was not a monster. There have been other examples of The Colonel arranging for fans to meet Elvis.

[PiersEIN]

Thanks, The fool, for yet another interesting article. I had seen one part of the video but I didn't know about the whole story.

Also, thanks HoneyTalkNelson and MaryAnn for your valuable additions to the thread.

Agreed, these are all fascinating reading.
I hope FECC members get a chance to read all of these - at last I have a break to catch up on some back-pages.
Cheers, Piers