It’s so hard to believe it’s been 43 years today since we buried my friend, Elvis.
What a heart-wrenching three days we had that August in 1977.
I’ll never forget flying out of L.A to Las Vegas that morning of the 16th, then we headed out from Vegas to our first show in Maine
when we got word to turn around.
None of us knew why.
We stopped to refuel in Colorado to head back to Las Vegas when we heard the news that Elvis had passed.
My first question was, “Is this a joke?”
Unfortunately….it wasn’t.
My wife Louise and I immediately met up in Memphis to go to Graceland to check on Elvis’ Dad, Vernon. As you can imagine, he was just heart broken.
On August 18th, they held a private service for Elvis’ family and close friends.
We could hardly talk to each other, we were in so much shock.
So many people that loved him showed up.
James Brown spent hours in there with Elvis, as did so many others.
Louise and I sat there with Vernon and did our best to comfort him.
We loved that man.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Memphis on the day of the funeral to say goodbye to the king.
Thousands! We had never seen anything like it, man.
Royalty had never seen anything like it.
We were honored to ride in the third or fourth white limo in the procession that day and were amazed at all the love people showed and how people came together in such a short amount of time to honor him from all over hthe world.
Elvis constantly gave to those around him and that was such an inspiration.
Yes, he was a legend….but Elvis was also my friend.
His talent, style, sense of humor and ‘in the middle of the night’ phone calls just to talk.
He is dearly missed, and I know he’s in Heaven singing and playing with my Son, Jeffrey…
and I’m looking forward to seeing them both again someday and we’ll all jam together.
We want to thank the fan clubs and websites, Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Jack Soden, Graceland, EPE family and Joel Weinshanker for all of the hard work in keeping Elvis’ legacy alive and we love the fans and friends who loved Elvis as much as we do.
Make each day count!
GOD BLESS YOU!
James
Thank You Mr. Burton for this Opportunity to say that I was and still am Truly a Hugh Elvis Presley Fan from the very start of it all. And I always Will Be A Fan till My End. Elvis was A Wonderful Singer and Actor and Person to say the least. I guess You could say that YES I LOVE Him very VERY Much indeed and I always Will. There will never be anyone like him again ever. thank You once again Mr. James Burton for giving Me this time. My GOD Bless You and Your Family as well as the Presleys Now and Forever Amen.
Thank You Mr. Burton for this Opportunity to say that I was and still am Truly a Hugh Elvis Presley Fan from the very start of it all. And I always Will Be A Fan till My End. Elvis was A Wonderful Singer and Actor and Person to say the least. I guess You could say that YES I LOVE Him very VERY Much indeed and I always Will. There will never be anyone like him again ever. thank You once again Mr. James Burton for giving Me this time. My GOD Bless You and Your Family as well as the Presleys Now and Forever Amen. TCB & TLC
James Burton, How good is your memory for the Lakeland concerts? I drove the TCB band from Lakeland airport for both concerts!! J D Sumner sitting right behind me with sweet inspirations also. We stayed at Dutch Inn, and after concert went to Bern’s Steakhouse!! Now, I’m retired from Greyhound, just finding you still alive, Hallelujah and God Bless!!