Elvis and Don Rickles

[Renan]

Lately, I have watched many clips from Don Rickles on the Dean Martin Roasts TV show and personally, I think he is one of the greatest comedian ever. Thank God we still have him around.

But the question is: seeing Don with so many starts of that time, I wonder if he ever met Elvis or attended one of his concerts? Maybe pictures together?

Thanks in advance!

[drjohncarpenter]

Lately, I have watched many clips from Don Rickles on the Dean Martin Roasts TV show and personally, I think he is one of the greatest comedian ever. Thank God we still have him around.

But the question is: seeing Don with so many starts of that time, I wonder if he ever met Elvis or attended one of his concerts? Maybe pictures together?

Thanks in advance!

Never seen any photos, but Elvis saw Don Rickles many times in Vegas, including at least once with Ann-Margret. The story goes that Don would never make any disparaging jokes towards Elvis because the comedian admired the connection Presley had with Gladys. Rickles apparently adored his mom the same way.

There is also a weird story later on where Elvis came on stage and read a bunch of text from one of his religious books because it was "important." It kind of put a damper on the festivities for a bit.

[Renan]

Lately, I have watched many clips from Don Rickles on the Dean Martin Roasts TV show and personally, I think he is one of the greatest comedian ever. Thank God we still have him around.

But the question is: seeing Don with so many starts of that time, I wonder if he ever met Elvis or attended one of his concerts? Maybe pictures together?

Thanks in advance!

Never seen any photos, but Elvis saw Don Rickles many times in Vegas, including at least once with Ann-Margret. The story goes that Don would never make any disparaging jokes towards Elvis because the comedian admired the connection Presley had with Gladys. Rickles apparently adored his mom the same way.

Thanks!

I had no idea Elvis saw Rickles many times.

Well, seeing Don so comfortable with stars like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and the list going on, I just wished Elvis had the opportunity to be there in this show and have some fun time with these guys.

[jsstcb]

I saw rickles hosting the Tonight showonce around 73-76 and in an audience question bit. A audience member was standing next to Don in the isle and he had a elvis button on. Don commented on it saying something like"oh elvis very nice man I can't say anything insulting about him.

[drjohncarpenter]

Here's a small vignette I found:

Any memories of Elvis in Las Vegas?

One time in Las Vegas we were there, and Don Rickles was performing in the lounge. Elvis and his whole entourage walked through, and Don stopped the show when he saw Elvis. They were friends, and I remember Elvis gave him his gold watch, which was worth I don’t know how many thousands. We didn’t have a camera with us unfortunately. Elvis left the stage and watched the rest of the show.


Elvis Incredible - Interview with Photographer Jean Cummings
http://elvisthemagazine.com/feat_book_elvisincr_3.htm

And here's a November 1975 Las Vegas magazine showing Rickles playing the Riviera at the same time Elvis was at the Hilton:

751121_Vegas Cabbie Guide p1.JPG

751121_Vegas Cabbie Guide p7.JPG

Vegas Cabbie Guide - November 21, 1975



It may have been at his December 1975 Hilton engagement that Elvis did that odd on-stage reading at the Riviera, although the report below places it to a year later:

Also early on in the Season Elvis went across to the Riviera Hotel to see Don Rickles - Elvis was invited up on stage from the audience and started reading from ' THE VOICE OF SILENCE' (one of his religious books) eventually Elvis stopped the reading and allowed Rickles to get on with his show, but Elvis hardly knew when to stop.

Elvis - A Lazy Legend in Las Vegas in 1976? by Geoffrey Mc Donnell, Australia
http://www.elvisconcerts.com/real/vegas76-02.htm

Here's the book Presley read on stage at the Riviera, to the delight of RIckles:

The_Voice_of_the_Silence.jpg

Helena Blavatsky, The Voice of the Silence (India: Theosophy Co. Ltd,, 1889)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_of_the_Silence
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/voice/voice.htm


The '70s was a crazy time.

[Renan]

Thank you all for your help.

[elvisjock]

Here's a small vignette I found:

Any memories of Elvis in Las Vegas?

One time in Las Vegas we were there, and Don Rickles was performing in the lounge. Elvis and his whole entourage walked through, and Don stopped the show when he saw Elvis. They were friends, and I remember Elvis gave him his gold watch, which was worth I don’t know how many thousands. We didn’t have a camera with us unfortunately. Elvis left the stage and watched the rest of the show.


Elvis Incredible - Interview with Photographer Jean Cummings
http://elvisthemagazine.com/feat_book_elvisincr_3.htm

And here's a November 1975 Las Vegas magazine showing Rickles playing the Riviera at the same time as Elvis at the Hilton:

751121_Vegas Cabbie Guide p1.JPG

751121_Vegas Cabbie Guide p7.JPG

Vegas Cabbie Guide - November 21, 1975



It may have been at his December 1975 Hilton engagement that Elvis did that odd on-stage reading at the Riviera, although the report below places it to a year later:

Also early on in the Season Elvis went across to the Riviera Hotel to see Don Rickles - Elvis was invited up on stage from the audience and started reading from ' THE VOICE OF SILENCE' (one of his religious books) eventually Elvis stopped the reading and allowed Rickles to get on with his show, but Elvis hardly knew when to stop.

Elvis - A Lazy Legend in Las Vegas in 1976? by Geoffrey Mc Donnell, Australia.
http://www.elvisconcerts.com/real/vegas76-02.htm

Here's the book read on stage at the Riviera, to the delight of Don RIckles:

The_Voice_of_the_Silence.jpg

Helena Blavatsky, The Voice of the Silence (India: Theosophy Co. Ltd,, 1889)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_of_the_Silence
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/voice/voice.htm


The '70s was a crazy time.

God, he filled his head with some crap.

[drjohncarpenter]

Thank you all for your help.

My pleasure!

[LuckyJackson2]

Bet Elvis wasnt best pleased to have his photograph alongsode Robert Goulet in that magazine, eh Doc?

[drjohncarpenter]

Bet Elvis wasnt best pleased to have his photograph alongsode Robert Goulet in that magazine, eh Doc?

He was bigger, that had to have helped.

Ann-Margret looks amazing as well. I wonder if she touched base with him after completing her run at the Hilton? No doubt she would have been concerned at his appearance in December 1975.

[Jaime1234]

He also asked Elvis to take a bow, said something, then Rickles jockingly told him, "sit down Presley, you´ve said enough.

[L Ray]

Interesting about the two of them. I never knew any of this.

[ElvisLife]

I read Don's bio a couple years ago and he mentioned Elvis and said nice things about him. I loved the book. I always loved watching him on Carson. Go to the library and pick it up.

[Renan]

I read Don's bio a couple years ago and he mentioned Elvis and said nice things about him. I loved the book. I always loved watching him on Carson. Go to the library and pick it up.

Thank you! I will look for it.

[DEH]

Yeah Don talks very highly of Elvis when asked. He said on the Tonight Show with Jay leno that Elvis gave him one of the TCB necklaces. the only time he has ever said anything close to negative is the story of Elvis coming up on stage during one of Dons shows and reading one of his spiritual books. Don started making jokes but Elvis was serious about it and it was a bit of a awkward situation.

[mike edwards66]

There is also a weird story later on where Elvis came on stage and read a bunch of text from one of his religious books because it was "important." It kind of put a damper on the festivities for a bit.

Don must have been biting his sharp tongue that night.

[EPA4368]

One of my favorites when Don's roasting Bob Hope (1974).

After Don says (1:29), "It takes many years to be a great comedian." Love Dean's comments, "You ain't reached that year yet!" But Don's "Thank you Jerry" is great!

..

Dylan, Don and Springsteen backstage at The Shrine Auditorium at the taping of Sinatra's 80th Birthday TV Special



Don's 87 years old and still keeping busy…

Find out when Don Rickles will be appearing in your area or when he will be making his next appearance on television or in film. Updates will be sent directly to your inbox ya hockey puck!

http://www.donrickles.com/?page_id=14

[Sergio Luiz]

Elvis mentions Don Rickles by name in one of the outtakes on FTD´s Promised Land

[DEH]

there is a pic online somewhere of The Colonel and Don. sadly no pic with Elvis has popped up.

[Sergio Luiz]

Elvis mentions Don Rickles by name in one of the outtakes on FTD´s Promised Land

[DearGeorgie]

Actually, the Rickles mention is on the GOOD TIMES FTD during one of the takes of "I've Got a Thing About You, Baby"...of course, Elvis's impersonation of Rickles doesn't sound anything like Rickles at all

[elvis-fan]

For those who are interested, here's a great bit with Don and Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld's online only show Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee... Don is great as usual and hasn't slowed down at all... (sorry if this is getting a bit off topic)

http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/don-rickles-you-ll-never-play-the-copa

I could sit and listen to this guy (Don) talk for hours and hours... he is just so damn interesting.

[drjohncarpenter]

Elvis originally didn't like Don's act. According to fan Donna Lewis, at a Memphis movie night on 9-27-1968, he discussed seeing Rickles in Las Vegas. Friend George Klein asked what it was like, Presley replied "Cutting people down. It'll never last. He was pushing too hard."

[Renan]

Thank you all for these interesting informations.

[mike edwards66]

http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/don-rickles-you-ll-never-play-the-copa
I could sit and listen to this guy (Don) talk for hours and hours... he is just so damn interesting.

That was great, Don is still as sharp as a pin. '.......For the money you're paying me, this should be over....'